!Kauru African Contemporary Art Project 2014 launches
Back2Back is pleased to announce that the !Kauru African Contemporary Art project is in full production for the 2014 season. The prestigious UNISA Art Gallery will host the curated exhibition which is the key focus of this ambitious project in May next year.
The !Kauru African Contemporary Art Project aims to encourage a dialogue within Africa and internationally in order to facilitate a change of perceptions about the continent through the vehicle of contemporary art. It was launched in 2012 by Project Director Tshepiso Mohlala with the support of the International Relations Department, a portfolio of Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), as a key project which fulfils their mandate to promote inter-cultural relations through projects such as this in the continent. Through this partnership, the funder endorsed the project’s aims - to support the objectives of the AU and to foster cooperation between all the African states.
The project aims to sensitize South African and African audiences to the value of their own contemporary art production and to promote appreciation of quality contemporary art on the continent. Art is seen as a means to promote inter Africa /Diaspora cultural exchange in a direct and meaningful way, and allows us to reflect on the perceptions we have of one another, as well as that which the outside world has of Africa. In addition this project aims to establish a cultural network and to create visibility for the participating artists, art promoters and institutions – all of which will help facilitate the future sustainability of the visual arts sector.
For the Unisa Art Gallery, the !Kauru African Contemporary Art Project speaks to their new acquisition strategy of collecting art beyond South African boarders. “We have reviewed our collecting strategy and we are now expanding our Art Collection to collecting contemporary art from a broader African continent and this new acquisition strategy was a response to a Unisa vision of being “an African University in service of Humanity.” says Bongani Mkhonza, Curator at Unisa Art Gallery and Collection.
UNISA Art Gallery in Pretoria, the 2014 exhibition venue, was established in 1986. It has become a high profile exhibition space in South Africa. The gallery owns a large collection of contemporary South African art which it acquires with the purpose of providing a significant
teaching tool for its students. It hosts a range of temporary exhibitions each year, focusing on diverse and relevant aspects in the visual arts. Research and education form part of the gallery's services to both its internal academic community and the broader geographic community in which it is located.
“We are delighted to be working with UNISA Art Gallery on this 3rd phase of the project. Collaboration with significant institutions such as this will enable fulfilling our mandate and will have a lasting and as widespread an impact as possible.” says Mohlala. We welcome them to our growing network of partners and look forward to a great season.”
!Kauru provides a platform for African contemporary artists and cultural practioners to engage around a showcase of contemporary art drawn from the continent. An exhibition is panned to ultimately travel to the 5 regions of the African continent as the project grows. The project strategy aims to incorporate all the regions of Africa in the future. It was initiated in 2012 with exhibiting artists from the SADC region. The exhibition presents mid-career to established artists and will showcase the maturity and exceptional wealth of talent to be found within this region.
Over the past two years exhibiting artists from Angola, Botswana, DRC, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, were invited to participate. This region once again is the focus for the 2014 project season; however, it has expanded to include other countries, namely: Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia and Nigeria.
The exhibition is the central component of the project and is a platform to promote conversations between artists in Africa as well as to change perceptions abroad of the continent about what constitutes its contemporary art. The artworks selected are also a means to promote continental understanding of our heritage, as well as engender a respect of our different cultural backgrounds. The word !Kauru is indigenous to the Khoi people of Southern Africa . The concept means looking at oneself, out of oneself, seeing other people and things across borders. The exhibition will invite the public to participate in its discourse and dialogue and aims to stimulate debate addressing issues related to our cultural diversity.
The project incorporates the idea that art is beyond words and hence beyond language. This then invites us to ask: Who is talking? Who are we talking to? What are they saying? Why are we talking? Are we listening? Most importantly, what are we saying?
The first initiative of this contemporary visual art project was an exhibition that took place on 25 May 2012 at the Sandton Art Gallery, Johannesburg. It was accompanied by a workshop on Professional Practice targeting aspirant contemporary artists. This exhibition titled, ‘Made in Africa’ was curated by Andile Magengelele in conversation with Nontobeko Ntombela. The exhibition featured the works of Franck Lundangi (Angola), Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum (Botswana), Blessing Ngobeni, Sandile Zulu, Lehlogonolo Mashaba (South Africa), Alex Maphalala (Swaziland), Patrick Makumbe (Zimbabwe) and many others. The 2013, !Kauru African Contemporary Exhibition was curated by Melissa Goba and was titled Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act 1). The exhibition showed at Pretoria Art Museum on 24 May 2013. This exhibition featured works of Dineo Bopape, Kudzanai Chiurai, Nastio Mosquito, Safina Kimbokota, Danny Sopha, Joao Orecchia to name a few.
The !Kauru African Contemporary Art Project aims to encourage a dialogue within Africa and internationally in order to facilitate a change of perceptions about the continent through the vehicle of contemporary art. It was launched in 2012 by Project Director Tshepiso Mohlala with the support of the International Relations Department, a portfolio of Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), as a key project which fulfils their mandate to promote inter-cultural relations through projects such as this in the continent. Through this partnership, the funder endorsed the project’s aims - to support the objectives of the AU and to foster cooperation between all the African states.
The project aims to sensitize South African and African audiences to the value of their own contemporary art production and to promote appreciation of quality contemporary art on the continent. Art is seen as a means to promote inter Africa /Diaspora cultural exchange in a direct and meaningful way, and allows us to reflect on the perceptions we have of one another, as well as that which the outside world has of Africa. In addition this project aims to establish a cultural network and to create visibility for the participating artists, art promoters and institutions – all of which will help facilitate the future sustainability of the visual arts sector.
For the Unisa Art Gallery, the !Kauru African Contemporary Art Project speaks to their new acquisition strategy of collecting art beyond South African boarders. “We have reviewed our collecting strategy and we are now expanding our Art Collection to collecting contemporary art from a broader African continent and this new acquisition strategy was a response to a Unisa vision of being “an African University in service of Humanity.” says Bongani Mkhonza, Curator at Unisa Art Gallery and Collection.
UNISA Art Gallery in Pretoria, the 2014 exhibition venue, was established in 1986. It has become a high profile exhibition space in South Africa. The gallery owns a large collection of contemporary South African art which it acquires with the purpose of providing a significant
teaching tool for its students. It hosts a range of temporary exhibitions each year, focusing on diverse and relevant aspects in the visual arts. Research and education form part of the gallery's services to both its internal academic community and the broader geographic community in which it is located.
“We are delighted to be working with UNISA Art Gallery on this 3rd phase of the project. Collaboration with significant institutions such as this will enable fulfilling our mandate and will have a lasting and as widespread an impact as possible.” says Mohlala. We welcome them to our growing network of partners and look forward to a great season.”
!Kauru provides a platform for African contemporary artists and cultural practioners to engage around a showcase of contemporary art drawn from the continent. An exhibition is panned to ultimately travel to the 5 regions of the African continent as the project grows. The project strategy aims to incorporate all the regions of Africa in the future. It was initiated in 2012 with exhibiting artists from the SADC region. The exhibition presents mid-career to established artists and will showcase the maturity and exceptional wealth of talent to be found within this region.
Over the past two years exhibiting artists from Angola, Botswana, DRC, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, were invited to participate. This region once again is the focus for the 2014 project season; however, it has expanded to include other countries, namely: Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia and Nigeria.
The exhibition is the central component of the project and is a platform to promote conversations between artists in Africa as well as to change perceptions abroad of the continent about what constitutes its contemporary art. The artworks selected are also a means to promote continental understanding of our heritage, as well as engender a respect of our different cultural backgrounds. The word !Kauru is indigenous to the Khoi people of Southern Africa . The concept means looking at oneself, out of oneself, seeing other people and things across borders. The exhibition will invite the public to participate in its discourse and dialogue and aims to stimulate debate addressing issues related to our cultural diversity.
The project incorporates the idea that art is beyond words and hence beyond language. This then invites us to ask: Who is talking? Who are we talking to? What are they saying? Why are we talking? Are we listening? Most importantly, what are we saying?
The first initiative of this contemporary visual art project was an exhibition that took place on 25 May 2012 at the Sandton Art Gallery, Johannesburg. It was accompanied by a workshop on Professional Practice targeting aspirant contemporary artists. This exhibition titled, ‘Made in Africa’ was curated by Andile Magengelele in conversation with Nontobeko Ntombela. The exhibition featured the works of Franck Lundangi (Angola), Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum (Botswana), Blessing Ngobeni, Sandile Zulu, Lehlogonolo Mashaba (South Africa), Alex Maphalala (Swaziland), Patrick Makumbe (Zimbabwe) and many others. The 2013, !Kauru African Contemporary Exhibition was curated by Melissa Goba and was titled Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act 1). The exhibition showed at Pretoria Art Museum on 24 May 2013. This exhibition featured works of Dineo Bopape, Kudzanai Chiurai, Nastio Mosquito, Safina Kimbokota, Danny Sopha, Joao Orecchia to name a few.
Statement of Proceedings!Kauru Round Table 2013
The 2013 !Kauru project culminated in a Round Table Discussion held at the Turbine Hall in Newtown on 12 July 2013. Project stakeholders from the management team, the curatorial team, artists and sponsors gave presentations to an audience comprised of various members of the visual art industry.The Round Table Discussion was intended as a forum to initiate conversations/partnerships with local and international stakeholders to explore topics and debates that arose from the curatorial basis of the exhibition. In addition the event aimed to extend the legacy of the project by initiating new networks locally and across the continent.
In addition the intention of the Round Table Discussion was to create a platform which would allow the different stakeholders to contribute to the general outcomes of the !Kauru Project as it moves forward into its third year of existence.
What follows is a statement issued as an outcome of the vigorous discussions and engagements with the !Kauru 2013 project.
An intention of the Round table Discussion was also to stimulate dialogues between the various stakeholders to inform content for the catalogue. These discussions enabled delegates to interrogate topics related to the content referenced in the 2014 exhibition artworks created by South African artists as well as those from the SADC countries. Lastly the aim of the event was to ensure the future growth of the project by accessing new networks from Africa.
The !Kauru project grew out of Mohlala’s own experiences which were that the appreciation of contemporary African art is far more advanced internationally than it is on the African continent. “Our contemporary art is amongst some of the best in the world, despite the lack maturity of many of the art markets in African countries. We need to foster an understanding and appreciation of our own art to grow this significant part of our economy. The appetite and interest is there, but it will not come without proactive interventions that address the practicalities of the role of art in society. Art is not only a critical part of any growing economy, providing many opportunities for work and self-employment, but a barometer and reflection of how we see ourselves and each other. As Africans we need to promote conversations that allow us to explore our oneness and cultural differences in constructive ways; otherwise they will find expression in ways that destroy the fabric of our communities, such as xenophobia and persecution.” Says Project Director, Mohlala, “As this year’s leg of the project comes to an end, we acknowledge the necessity to identify and expand the !Kauru project stakeholders and potential partners. In our present position, we understand that the project should not exist in isolation from key role players that could possibly strengthen the !Kauru portfolio.”
The Round Table follows on from a programme of artist’s talks and workshops which were presented during the exhibition period, and which explored the logistical and practical challenges facing the project in realizing its ambitious brief. As the key stakeholder, !Kauru is supported by the Department of Arts and Culture (International Relations Department), who seek to promote and increase inter Africa, Caribbean and Diaspora arts and cultural activities between civil society, government and the private sector. This is achieved through collaboration in various capacities between sponsors, state organizations and civil society in realizing the project’s vision.
“An African dialogue is a good idea in concept”, says Mohlala, “but practically, artists, their works and the audiences need to be able to connect and talk to one another. In order to do this, they need to be quite literally in the same place; whether this involves bringing the art to the people or the people to the art, both pose a number of challenges that we cannot overcome without a broad network of support.”
In order to identify with the objectives of the !Kauru African Contemporary Art Touring Exhibition project, the stakeholders attending this event needed to explore the prevailing perceptions of contemporary African art. They needed to understand what informs these perceptions and consider how to go about changing such negative perceptions in order to realise the long term viability of the contemporary art sector; a sector that can provide profitable business, through reaching an untapped market i.e. local audiences while growing the international audience.
The Round Table Discussion unpacked these perceptions by asking the following questions of stakeholders:
- What do such perceptions entail?
- Professionally
- Community perceptions
- How can we educate to create new perceptions (Audience and Children)
- How do we reach and develop an audience and a market
- How do we change both from exclusion to inclusion?
- Whose responsibility is it to change them?
- What relationship is there between us as members of SADC?
- How can we get more input and collaboration within the Southern African region?
- How do we create an art industry that is sustainable for all stakeholders; especially for those artists needing to earn a living when they engage with the broader objectives of the !Kauru African Contemporary Art Touring Exhibition?
From the presentations given by the Project Director, by the representative from the Department of Arts and Culture, the International Curator Panel-Coordinator, participating artists and stakeholders present, it was evident that all those involved identified the imperative of creating a ‘conversation platform’ such as !Kauru. They all emphasized the valuable platform and opportunities a project such as this offers.
We as the !Kauru African Contemporary art Touring Exhibition project team aim to align with this vision by stimulating a dialogue between visual arts practitioners, business and government. We also see as vital the education of audiences, especially the youth. !Kauru believes that when artists from around the continent are considered for inclusion in the exhibition, the curators will rise to the challenge of selection criteria in a well- considered and open minded manner.
Lastly we as the !Kauru team require commitment from all our stakeholders to enable us to work together to achieve mutually beneficial partnerships.
BACKGROUND ABOUT THE PROJECT
!Kauru African Contemporary Touring Exhibition
I am who I am because I acknowledge who you are
! Kauru African Contemporary Art Touring project was launched in 2012, The project aims to promote conversations in Africa and internationally that change perceptions of the continent through contemporary art. Recognised by the Department of Arts and Culture as a key project that allows them to operationalize their mandate of activating the bilateral and multilateral platforms of engagement between the countries in this region, the !Kauru project is a touring museum exhibition of significant contemporary art which has emerged from the continent. The bigger project scope includes a series of educational outputs and audience engagements which increase awareness and leverage the viability of the sector within the continent. The project will tour all five regions of the continent and will target artists from the SADC region. The 2012 exhibition entitled Made In Africa - Towards Cultural Liberation was curated by Andile Magengelele in conversation with Nontobeko Ntobela. This year’s exhibition was entitled Cultural Brokerage, Africa Imagined (Act 1) was curated by Melissa Goba in collaboration with Euridice Kala. It increased its engagement with countries from the SADC region.
The project aims to sensitize and mobilize South African/African audiences and media to appreciate African contemporary visual arts. Art is seen as a means to promote inter Africa /Diaspora cultural exchange in a direct and meaningful way, while simultaneously creating a network and visibility for artists, art promoters and institutions to further promote the sustainability of the sector. The project interventions include (but are not limited to) a regional travelling museum exhibition, as well as skills development, educational, academic and public audience programmes.
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| 2013 !Kauru Round Table Discussion proceedings at the Turbine Hall, Newtown on 12 July 2013. |
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| 2013 !Kauru Round Table Discussion proceedings at the Turbine Hall, Newtown on 12 July 2013. |
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| 2013 !Kauru Round Table Discussion proceedings at the Turbine Hall, Newtown on 12 July 2013. |
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| 2013 !Kauru Round Table Discussion proceedings at the Turbine Hall, Newtown on 12 July 2013. |
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| 2013 !Kauru Round Table Discussion proceedings at the Turbine Hall, Newtown on 12 July 2013. |
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| 2013 !Kauru Round Table Discussion proceedings at the Turbine Hall, Newtown on 12 July 2013. |
!Kauru: Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act 1) engages learners on their view of their heritage as South African’s and their feelings about foreigners.
!Kauru African Contemporary Art Project 2013: Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act 1)Schools outreach programme walkabout with Fusion High School and Marien College
!Kauru: Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act 1) hosted a walkabout with Fusion High School and Marian College at the Pretoria Art Museum, where the !Kauru African Contemporary Art Project 2013 is currently showing. The walkabout was conducted by curator, Melissa Goba.
!Kauru provides a platform for African contemporary artists and cultural practioners to engage around a showcase of contemporary art from the continent. The strategy aims to incorporate all the regions of Africa over the lifespan of the project, which began in 2012 with artists from the SADC region. Countries participating in this year’s exhibition are Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Fusion High School is situated in Pretoria and Marian College in Johannesburg. The high school learners were challenged to discuss their heritage and their place in the bigger African context; which are themes drawn from the content of the exhibition & the project’s vision. They were asked challenging questions like: “What does the South African youth feel about foreigners coming into South Africa, what is our role as part of the African continent, and what do they believe their heritage is as a South African”.
The exhibition opened at Pretoria Art Museum on 24 May 2013 and through a programme of walkabouts, schools outreach programme, professional artists’ workshop and a colloquium, this project aims to sensitize and mobilize South African/African audiences and the media, to the appreciation of contemporary African visual arts. This walkabout is one of the educational programmes the project has planned. Art is seen as a means to promote inter African /Diasporic cultural exchange in a direct and meaningful way. In addition this project aims to establish a network and create visibility for the participating artists– all of which will help promote the future sustainability of the sector.
!Kauru: Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act 1) will run until 30 June 2013 at the Pretoria Art Museum, Corner of Francis Baard and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Arcadia, Pretoria.
One day Professional Practice Seminar held at the Pretoria Art Museum
on the 18th June 2013
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School children listening to Dineo Bopape's video. |
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Les Cohn from Art Source South Africa presenting at the seminar. |
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Taryn Cohn from Art Source South Africa lecturing about how visual artists should build their profiles using media & marketing. |
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Participants listening attentively.
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Discussions taking place at the seminar. |
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Enjoying lectures at the seminar. |
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Les Cohn and Taryn Cohn during the Question and Answer session. |
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Tea Break. |
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Tshepiso Mohlala, Project Director interacting with the school children at the walkabout.
!Kauru African Contemporary exhibition launched at Pretoria Art Museum!Kauru, bringing Africa together
On 24 May 2013 visual artists, sound artists and performers from the SADC region were gathered under one roof in a cultural exchange and to celebrate Africa Day. The artists were part of the !Kauru Contemporary exhibition titled Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act 1). The keynote speaker, Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture Mr Joseph Phaahla opened the exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum.!Kauru African Contemporary project co-incides with the celebration of Africa Day on the 25th May 2013 as well as the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the African Union. Through a programme of walkabouts, schools outreach programme, professional artists workshop and a colloquium, this project aims to sensitize and mobilize South African/African audiences and the media, to the appreciation of contemporary African visual arts. Art is seen as a means to promote inter African /Diasporic cultural exchange in a direct and meaningful way. In addition this project aims to establish a network and create visibility for the participating artists– all of which will help promote the future sustainability of the sector.
In his speech at the prestigious opening Deputy Minister Phaahla said, “Tomorrow, the 25th of May, Africans across our Continent and in the Diaspora will celebrate Africa Day. This year’s Africa Day celebrations draw particular significance in that it marks 50 years since the formation of the premier organization of African people; the Organization of African Unity”.
“As we celebrate Africa Day we pay a special tribute to that generation of Pan-Africanists and founding fathers of the OAU, who in their wisdom laid a solid foundation for the unity and solidarity of Africans. These include Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Keneth Kaunda, and Abdel Nasser to mention a few. We honour these pioneers and midwives of African liberation. We will always remember their sacrifices. We will walk in their footsteps”.
This exhibition provides a platform for contemporary visual artists drawn from the SADC region to come together and dialogue with each other through their artworks. Countries participating in this year’s exhibition are Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Explaining what Africa Day means to us as Africans, the Deputy Minister went on to say, “Africa Day celebrations offer us as Africans an opportunity to forge closer ties with one another; firm in the knowledge that we are one people, with a common ancestry and heritage and a shared destiny. We are using these celebrations to build new and strengthen existing bonds of friendship and solidarity among ourselves as Africans. Indeed through these celebrations we are promoting greater social cohesion, a common African identity and a sense of belonging to all the people of the Continent. Guided by this year’s Africa Day theme; “2013, the Year of Pan Africanism and African Renaissance”, we have a responsibility to continue promoting Pan Africanism and to ensure the renewal of our continent. We must continue to make the point that; African unity is central to us taking forward the gains of the OAU”.
In particular African unity and solidarity is the foundation upon which we can advance towards greater social, economic and cultural development. We must also stress the importance of collective self-reliance among us as Africans. These celebrations take place at a time when ours is no longer a dark continent, but a Continent of hope”.
This is the second year of the !Kauru project; it aims are to stimulate conversations within Africa and to facilitate a change of perceptions internationally about the continent using the vehicle of contemporary art.
Explaining the 2013 exhibition title, curator Melissa Goba says, “the notion of ‘Cultural Brokerage’ within an African context received critical attention with Sylvester Ogbechie’s 2010 essay ‘The Curator as Cultural Broker: A Critique of the Curatorial Regime of Okwui Enwezor in the Discourse of Contemporary African Art’ (2010). It would appear that contemporary African culture holds a currency or value that is defined differently in Africa and the West. The ‘brokerage’, dissemination and interpretation thereof has seen the development of a discourse about African cultural production outside of the continent. The term ‘Cultural Brokerage’ when referred to in the context of ‘Popular Culture’ becomes problematic given the intersection and hybridity of cultures as expressed through television, internet social sites and other media.”
“Through this exhibition, we seek primarily to use contemporary visual arts to change perceptions about our continent; to make the point, once again, that Africa is the Continent of the future. Through this exhibition, we are strengthening the bonds of friendship and solidarity among ourselves within SADC”, stated Deputy Minister Phaahla.
The artists selected to participate in the !Kauru exhibition are Dineo Bopape, Kudzanai Chiurai, Nastio Mosquito, Safina Kimbokota, Danny Sopha, Joao Orecchia, Maimuna Adam, Ruth Sacks, Francisco Van Dunen, Gerald Machona, Celestino Bento Mudaulane, Henrique Calisto, Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum, Precious Mhone and Krishna Luchoomun.
In support of the objectives of the AU and to foster cooperation between all the African States, !Kauru is supported and endorsed by the Department of Arts and Culture - International Relations.
!Kauru Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act 1) will run until the 30 June 2013 at the Pretoria Art Museum, Corner of Francis Baard and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Arcadia, Pretoria.
“As we celebrate Africa Day we pay a special tribute to that generation of Pan-Africanists and founding fathers of the OAU, who in their wisdom laid a solid foundation for the unity and solidarity of Africans. These include Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Keneth Kaunda, and Abdel Nasser to mention a few. We honour these pioneers and midwives of African liberation. We will always remember their sacrifices. We will walk in their footsteps”.
This exhibition provides a platform for contemporary visual artists drawn from the SADC region to come together and dialogue with each other through their artworks. Countries participating in this year’s exhibition are Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Explaining what Africa Day means to us as Africans, the Deputy Minister went on to say, “Africa Day celebrations offer us as Africans an opportunity to forge closer ties with one another; firm in the knowledge that we are one people, with a common ancestry and heritage and a shared destiny. We are using these celebrations to build new and strengthen existing bonds of friendship and solidarity among ourselves as Africans. Indeed through these celebrations we are promoting greater social cohesion, a common African identity and a sense of belonging to all the people of the Continent. Guided by this year’s Africa Day theme; “2013, the Year of Pan Africanism and African Renaissance”, we have a responsibility to continue promoting Pan Africanism and to ensure the renewal of our continent. We must continue to make the point that; African unity is central to us taking forward the gains of the OAU”.
In particular African unity and solidarity is the foundation upon which we can advance towards greater social, economic and cultural development. We must also stress the importance of collective self-reliance among us as Africans. These celebrations take place at a time when ours is no longer a dark continent, but a Continent of hope”.
This is the second year of the !Kauru project; it aims are to stimulate conversations within Africa and to facilitate a change of perceptions internationally about the continent using the vehicle of contemporary art.
Explaining the 2013 exhibition title, curator Melissa Goba says, “the notion of ‘Cultural Brokerage’ within an African context received critical attention with Sylvester Ogbechie’s 2010 essay ‘The Curator as Cultural Broker: A Critique of the Curatorial Regime of Okwui Enwezor in the Discourse of Contemporary African Art’ (2010). It would appear that contemporary African culture holds a currency or value that is defined differently in Africa and the West. The ‘brokerage’, dissemination and interpretation thereof has seen the development of a discourse about African cultural production outside of the continent. The term ‘Cultural Brokerage’ when referred to in the context of ‘Popular Culture’ becomes problematic given the intersection and hybridity of cultures as expressed through television, internet social sites and other media.”
“Through this exhibition, we seek primarily to use contemporary visual arts to change perceptions about our continent; to make the point, once again, that Africa is the Continent of the future. Through this exhibition, we are strengthening the bonds of friendship and solidarity among ourselves within SADC”, stated Deputy Minister Phaahla.
The artists selected to participate in the !Kauru exhibition are Dineo Bopape, Kudzanai Chiurai, Nastio Mosquito, Safina Kimbokota, Danny Sopha, Joao Orecchia, Maimuna Adam, Ruth Sacks, Francisco Van Dunen, Gerald Machona, Celestino Bento Mudaulane, Henrique Calisto, Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum, Precious Mhone and Krishna Luchoomun.
In support of the objectives of the AU and to foster cooperation between all the African States, !Kauru is supported and endorsed by the Department of Arts and Culture - International Relations.
!Kauru Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act 1) will run until the 30 June 2013 at the Pretoria Art Museum, Corner of Francis Baard and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Arcadia, Pretoria.
Opening night at the !Kauru African Contemporary Art Project
Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined Act 1
!Kauru African Contemporary Art Project 2013SADC Contemporary visual artists announced!
SADC Contemporary visual artists announced! The artists selected to participate in the !Kauru African Contemporary Exhibition are drawn from the 14 SADC countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zambia.
The exhibition is curated by Melissa Goba, who is assisted by International Curator – Panel Coordinator, Euridice Kala from Mozambique. This exhibition features Kudzanai Chiurai who was born in Zimbabwe in 1981. Chiurai is an internationally acclaimed artist now living and working in South Africa. He was the first black student to graduate with a BA Fine Art from the University of Pretoria. Regarded as part of the ‘born free’ generation in Zimbabwe i.e. born one year after the country gained its independence, Chiurai’s early work focused on the political, economic and social strife which beset his homeland.
Dineo Bopape hails from Limpopo Province, South Africa and was born in 1981. Bopape studied painting and sculpture in Durban. In 2010 she completed an MFA at Columbia University, New York. The winner of the 2008 MTN New Contemporaries Award and a recipient of a 2010 Columbia University Toby Fund Award, she has shown her work on major national and international exhibitions.
Nastio Mosquito is an Angolan international artist, performer and video artist. Mosquito works with music and visuals. He has been a performer for 10 years, with performances in 27 different cities around the world and over 165 shows. His artistic creations are available in reputable, major digital store such as Amazon, iTunes, My Space and more.
Other featured artists on the exhibition will be Danny Sopha, Maitre Alfred, Joao Orecchia, Ruth Sacks, Maimuna Adam, Safina Kimbokota, DJ Kenzero, Fransico Van Dunen, Gerald Machona, Hendrique Calisto, Celestino Bento Mondlane, Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum, Precious Mhone and Krishna Luchoomun.
The first initiative of this contemporary touring visual art project was an exhibition that took place on 25 May 2012 at the Sandton Art Gallery in Johannesburg. It was accompanied by a workshop on professional practice for aspirant contemporary artists. The exhibition, ‘Made in Afriica’” was curated by Andile Magengelele in conversation with Nontobeko Ntombela. This exhibition featured the works of Franck Lundangi (Angola), Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum (Botswana), Blessing Ngobeni, Sandile Zulu and Lehlogonolo Mashaba (South Africa), Alex Maphalala (Swaziland), Patrick Makumbe (Zimbabwe) to name some.
In his speech at the prestigious opening event of the 2012 exhibition, Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile said, "the visual arts is one of the most powerful tools for expressing and defining any society's identity. Visual art is a reflection of the pulse of the nation, its history, its common identity and its shared destiny. It is against this background that the Department of Arts and Culture is fully behind this initiative".
The !Kauru project contemporary art exhibition is intended to celebrate Africa Day on the 25th May 2013, and in addition also commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the African Union. Through a series of public walkabouts, lectures, professional practice seminars and other programmes aligned to the exhibition, the project aims to sensitize and stimulate South African/African audiences and the media, in the appreciation of contemporary African visual arts. Art is seen as a means to promote inter Africa /Diasporic cultural exchange in a direct and meaningful way. In addition this project aims to establish a network and through this create visibility for the participating artists, art promoters and institutions – all of which will help promote the future sustainability of the sector.
According to the Project Director, Tshepiso Mohlala, “The exhibition is a platform to promote conversations in Africa and to change perceptions abroad of the continent through its contemporary art. It is also a means to promote continental understanding of our heritage, as well as a respect for our diverse cultural backgrounds”.
Explaining the exhibition title, Goba says “the notion of ‘Cultural Brokerage’ within an African context received critical attention with Sylvester Ogbechie’s 2010 essay ‘The Curator as Cultural Broker: A Critique of the Curatorial Regime of Okwui Enwezor in the Discourse of Contemporary African Art’ (2010). It would appear that contemporary African culture holds a currency or value that is defined differently in Africa and the West. The ‘brokerage’, dissemination and interpretation thereof has seen the development of a discourse about African cultural production outside of the continent. The term ‘Cultural Brokerage’ when referred to in the context of ‘Popular Culture’ becomes problematic given the intersection and hybridity of cultures as expressed through television, internet social sites and other media.”
“The exhibition, Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act I) therefore intends to firstly situate the dialogue about this currency that is the African cultural product within the continent. This first act or instalment of dialogue through the exhibition, educational programmes and the catalogue begins in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and intends to grow throughout the continent, perhaps even finding context in the African Union,” says Goba
!Kauru 2013 will open on 24 May and will run until the 30th June 2013 at the Pretoria Art Museum, Corner of Francis Baard and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Arcadia, Pretoria.
Dineo Bopape hails from Limpopo Province, South Africa and was born in 1981. Bopape studied painting and sculpture in Durban. In 2010 she completed an MFA at Columbia University, New York. The winner of the 2008 MTN New Contemporaries Award and a recipient of a 2010 Columbia University Toby Fund Award, she has shown her work on major national and international exhibitions.
Nastio Mosquito is an Angolan international artist, performer and video artist. Mosquito works with music and visuals. He has been a performer for 10 years, with performances in 27 different cities around the world and over 165 shows. His artistic creations are available in reputable, major digital store such as Amazon, iTunes, My Space and more.
Other featured artists on the exhibition will be Danny Sopha, Maitre Alfred, Joao Orecchia, Ruth Sacks, Maimuna Adam, Safina Kimbokota, DJ Kenzero, Fransico Van Dunen, Gerald Machona, Hendrique Calisto, Celestino Bento Mondlane, Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum, Precious Mhone and Krishna Luchoomun.
The first initiative of this contemporary touring visual art project was an exhibition that took place on 25 May 2012 at the Sandton Art Gallery in Johannesburg. It was accompanied by a workshop on professional practice for aspirant contemporary artists. The exhibition, ‘Made in Afriica’” was curated by Andile Magengelele in conversation with Nontobeko Ntombela. This exhibition featured the works of Franck Lundangi (Angola), Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum (Botswana), Blessing Ngobeni, Sandile Zulu and Lehlogonolo Mashaba (South Africa), Alex Maphalala (Swaziland), Patrick Makumbe (Zimbabwe) to name some.
In his speech at the prestigious opening event of the 2012 exhibition, Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile said, "the visual arts is one of the most powerful tools for expressing and defining any society's identity. Visual art is a reflection of the pulse of the nation, its history, its common identity and its shared destiny. It is against this background that the Department of Arts and Culture is fully behind this initiative".
The !Kauru project contemporary art exhibition is intended to celebrate Africa Day on the 25th May 2013, and in addition also commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the African Union. Through a series of public walkabouts, lectures, professional practice seminars and other programmes aligned to the exhibition, the project aims to sensitize and stimulate South African/African audiences and the media, in the appreciation of contemporary African visual arts. Art is seen as a means to promote inter Africa /Diasporic cultural exchange in a direct and meaningful way. In addition this project aims to establish a network and through this create visibility for the participating artists, art promoters and institutions – all of which will help promote the future sustainability of the sector.
According to the Project Director, Tshepiso Mohlala, “The exhibition is a platform to promote conversations in Africa and to change perceptions abroad of the continent through its contemporary art. It is also a means to promote continental understanding of our heritage, as well as a respect for our diverse cultural backgrounds”.
Explaining the exhibition title, Goba says “the notion of ‘Cultural Brokerage’ within an African context received critical attention with Sylvester Ogbechie’s 2010 essay ‘The Curator as Cultural Broker: A Critique of the Curatorial Regime of Okwui Enwezor in the Discourse of Contemporary African Art’ (2010). It would appear that contemporary African culture holds a currency or value that is defined differently in Africa and the West. The ‘brokerage’, dissemination and interpretation thereof has seen the development of a discourse about African cultural production outside of the continent. The term ‘Cultural Brokerage’ when referred to in the context of ‘Popular Culture’ becomes problematic given the intersection and hybridity of cultures as expressed through television, internet social sites and other media.”
“The exhibition, Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act I) therefore intends to firstly situate the dialogue about this currency that is the African cultural product within the continent. This first act or instalment of dialogue through the exhibition, educational programmes and the catalogue begins in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and intends to grow throughout the continent, perhaps even finding context in the African Union,” says Goba
!Kauru 2013 will open on 24 May and will run until the 30th June 2013 at the Pretoria Art Museum, Corner of Francis Baard and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Arcadia, Pretoria.
Melissa Goba announced as Curator!!Kauru African Contemporary Art Project 2013
We are excited to announce that Mellisa Goba is the curator of the !Kauru African Contemporary Exhibition titled Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act 1). Goba is a curator and a writer, who obtained her Bachelor in Fine Ats, Printmaking and Photography at Wits University.
The !Kauru African Contemporary Art project 2013 Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act 1) exhibition will open at the Pretoria Art Museum on 24 May 2013. This is the second year of this South African-initiated project which aims to stimulate conversations in Africa and internationally to facilitate a change of perceptions about the continent using the vehicle of contemporary art.
Explaining the exhibition title, Goba says “the notion of ‘Cultural Brokerage’ within an African context received critical attention with Sylvester Ogbechie’s 2010 essay ‘The Curator as Cultural Broker: A Critique of the Curatorial Regime of Okwui Enwezor in the Discourse of Contemporary African Art’ (2010). It would appear that contemporary African culture holds a currency or value that is defined differently in Africa and the West. The ‘brokerage’, dissemination and interpretation thereof has seen the development of a discourse about African cultural production outside of the continent. The term ‘Cultural Brokerage’ when referred to in the context of ‘Popular Culture’ becomes problematic given the intersection and hybridity of cultures as expressed through television, internet social sites and other media.”
“The exhibition, Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act I) therefore intends to firstly situate the dialogue about this currency that is the African cultural product within the continent. This first act or instalment of dialogue through the exhibition, educational programme and catalogue begins in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and intends to grow throughout the continent, perhaps even finding context in the African Union,” says Goba
The exhibition is scheduled to celebrate Africa Day on 25 May 2013 as well as commemorate the 50th anniversary of the African Union (AU). The exhibition will run from 24 May to 30 June 2013. Through a series of talks, walkabouts, lectures, seminars and other programmes aligned to the exhibition, the project aims to sensitise and mobilise audiences in Africa, the rest of the world and the media in the appreciation of contemporary African visual arts. Art is seen as a means to promote inter Africa /Diaspora cultural exchange in a direct and meaningful way. In addition, this project can also establish a network and create visibility for the participating artists, art promoters and institutions – all of which will help promote the future sustainability of the sector.
Goba has been involved in curatorial roles including the MTN New Contemporaries 2008, SPace Currencies in Contemporary Art 2010, Curatorial Exchange 2009, in Visby, Sweden. She has produced and contributed to catalogues and publications, including MTN Art Talk, MTN New Contemporaries, Standard Bank 25-year celebration, Sam Nglengethwa's 2006 Monograph, and Johannes Phokela's KZNSA Exhibition Catalogue.
!Kauru provides a platform for African contemporary artists and cultural practioners to engage around a showcase of contemporary art from the continent, which will travel to five regions of the African continent. The strategy aims to incorporate all the regions of Africa over the lifespan of the project, which began in 2012 with artists from the SADC region. This region once again is the focus for the 2013 project season. Contemporary visual artists from the SADC ‑ which includes Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe ‑ will be invited to participate. The exhibition will promote mid-career artists and will showcase the exceptional wealth of talent to be found in this region.
The word !Kauru is indigenous to the Khoi people of Southern Africa. The concept is best described as looking at oneself, out of oneself, seeing other people and things across borders. The exhibition will invite the public to participate in its dialogue and the debate will primarily addrres issues related to our cultural diversity. It incorporates the idea that art is beyond words and hence beyond language. This concept invites us to ask: Who is talking? Who are we talking to? What are they saying? Are we listening? Why are we talking? And most importantly,
what are we saying? The project grew from Mohlala’s own experience of the way that Africa’s different cultures, countries and regions view and engage with one another.
The !Kauru African Contemporary Art project 2013 Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act 1) exhibition will open at the Pretoria Art Museum on 24 May 2013. This is the second year of this South African-initiated project which aims to stimulate conversations in Africa and internationally to facilitate a change of perceptions about the continent using the vehicle of contemporary art.
Explaining the exhibition title, Goba says “the notion of ‘Cultural Brokerage’ within an African context received critical attention with Sylvester Ogbechie’s 2010 essay ‘The Curator as Cultural Broker: A Critique of the Curatorial Regime of Okwui Enwezor in the Discourse of Contemporary African Art’ (2010). It would appear that contemporary African culture holds a currency or value that is defined differently in Africa and the West. The ‘brokerage’, dissemination and interpretation thereof has seen the development of a discourse about African cultural production outside of the continent. The term ‘Cultural Brokerage’ when referred to in the context of ‘Popular Culture’ becomes problematic given the intersection and hybridity of cultures as expressed through television, internet social sites and other media.”
“The exhibition, Cultural Brokerage: Africa Imagined (Act I) therefore intends to firstly situate the dialogue about this currency that is the African cultural product within the continent. This first act or instalment of dialogue through the exhibition, educational programme and catalogue begins in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and intends to grow throughout the continent, perhaps even finding context in the African Union,” says Goba
The exhibition is scheduled to celebrate Africa Day on 25 May 2013 as well as commemorate the 50th anniversary of the African Union (AU). The exhibition will run from 24 May to 30 June 2013. Through a series of talks, walkabouts, lectures, seminars and other programmes aligned to the exhibition, the project aims to sensitise and mobilise audiences in Africa, the rest of the world and the media in the appreciation of contemporary African visual arts. Art is seen as a means to promote inter Africa /Diaspora cultural exchange in a direct and meaningful way. In addition, this project can also establish a network and create visibility for the participating artists, art promoters and institutions – all of which will help promote the future sustainability of the sector.
Goba has been involved in curatorial roles including the MTN New Contemporaries 2008, SPace Currencies in Contemporary Art 2010, Curatorial Exchange 2009, in Visby, Sweden. She has produced and contributed to catalogues and publications, including MTN Art Talk, MTN New Contemporaries, Standard Bank 25-year celebration, Sam Nglengethwa's 2006 Monograph, and Johannes Phokela's KZNSA Exhibition Catalogue.
!Kauru provides a platform for African contemporary artists and cultural practioners to engage around a showcase of contemporary art from the continent, which will travel to five regions of the African continent. The strategy aims to incorporate all the regions of Africa over the lifespan of the project, which began in 2012 with artists from the SADC region. This region once again is the focus for the 2013 project season. Contemporary visual artists from the SADC ‑ which includes Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe ‑ will be invited to participate. The exhibition will promote mid-career artists and will showcase the exceptional wealth of talent to be found in this region.
The word !Kauru is indigenous to the Khoi people of Southern Africa. The concept is best described as looking at oneself, out of oneself, seeing other people and things across borders. The exhibition will invite the public to participate in its dialogue and the debate will primarily addrres issues related to our cultural diversity. It incorporates the idea that art is beyond words and hence beyond language. This concept invites us to ask: Who is talking? Who are we talking to? What are they saying? Are we listening? Why are we talking? And most importantly,
what are we saying? The project grew from Mohlala’s own experience of the way that Africa’s different cultures, countries and regions view and engage with one another.
In support of the objectives of the AU and to foster co-operation between all the African states, !Kauru is supported and endorsed by the Department of Arts and Culture ‑ International Relations.
According to project director Tshepiso Mohlala of Back2Back Experiential Marketing, her “vision is for this project to become a biannual event which will showcase the artworks of top African contemporary visual artists, starting with the SADC region, thereafter touring five other regions of the continent. Ultimately the long-term plan will be to tour these exhibitions internationally”, she says.
“Arising from these often narrow attitudes appears a lack of confidence in the way our visual contemporary art is viewed; both by ourselves and by others. It is still the default view to see ‘African art’ as primarily tribal, ethnic, traditional, crafty and ‘naïve’ in genre. This therefore undermines the relevance and importance of our contemporary artists and the sophistication of their practice”.
Goba is currently running Assylem Atelje - a project and site based arts initiative and also serves as the Chairperson of the Arts and Culture Trust (ACT).
!Kauru 2013 will open on 24 May and will run until 30 June 2013 at the Pretoria Art Museum, corner of Francis Baard and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Arcadia, Pretoria.
The !Kauru African Contemporary Art project is in full production for the 2013 exhibition that will open at the Pretoria Art Museum on the 24th May 2013. This is the second year of this project which aims to stimulate conversations within Africa and internationally to facilitate a change of perceptions about the continent using the vehicle of contemporary art.
It is scheduled to celebrate Africa Day on the 25th May 2013 as well as commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the African Union. The exhibition will run from the 24th May - 30th June 2013. Through a series of talks, walkabouts, lectures, seminars and other programmes aligned to the exhibition, the project aims to sensitize and mobilize South African/African audiences and the media, in the appreciation of contemporary African visual arts. Art is seen as a means to promote inter Africa /Diaspora cultural exchange in a direct and meaningful way. In addition this project can also establish a network and create visibility for the participating artists, art promoters and institutions – all of which will help promote the future sustainability of the sector.
!Kauru provides a platform for African contemporary artists and cultural practioners to engage around a showcase of contemporary art from the continent that will travel 5 regions of the African continent. The strategy aims to incorporate all the regions of Africa over the lifespan of the project, which began in 2012 with artists from the SADC region. This region once again is the focus for the 2013 project season. Contemporary visual artists drawn from most of the South African Development Community (SADC) which includes Angola, Botswana, DRC, Mauritius, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, will be invited to participate. The exhibition will promote mid-career to established artists and will showcase the maturity and exceptional wealth of talent to be found within the region.
Goba is currently running Assylem Atelje - a project and site based arts initiative and also serves as the Chairperson of the Arts and Culture Trust (ACT).
!Kauru 2013 will open on 24 May and will run until 30 June 2013 at the Pretoria Art Museum, corner of Francis Baard and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Arcadia, Pretoria.
!Kauru African Contemporary Art Project 2013 launchesBringing Africa together at the Pretoria Art Museum.
Project: !Kauru: Cultural
Brokerage; Africa Imagined Act 1
Event: Touring exhibition
Date: 24 May 2013
Venue: Pretoria Art Museum
Event: Touring exhibition
Date: 24 May 2013
Venue: Pretoria Art Museum
The !Kauru African Contemporary Art project is in full production for the 2013 exhibition that will open at the Pretoria Art Museum on the 24th May 2013. This is the second year of this project which aims to stimulate conversations within Africa and internationally to facilitate a change of perceptions about the continent using the vehicle of contemporary art.
It is scheduled to celebrate Africa Day on the 25th May 2013 as well as commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the African Union. The exhibition will run from the 24th May - 30th June 2013. Through a series of talks, walkabouts, lectures, seminars and other programmes aligned to the exhibition, the project aims to sensitize and mobilize South African/African audiences and the media, in the appreciation of contemporary African visual arts. Art is seen as a means to promote inter Africa /Diaspora cultural exchange in a direct and meaningful way. In addition this project can also establish a network and create visibility for the participating artists, art promoters and institutions – all of which will help promote the future sustainability of the sector.
!Kauru provides a platform for African contemporary artists and cultural practioners to engage around a showcase of contemporary art from the continent that will travel 5 regions of the African continent. The strategy aims to incorporate all the regions of Africa over the lifespan of the project, which began in 2012 with artists from the SADC region. This region once again is the focus for the 2013 project season. Contemporary visual artists drawn from most of the South African Development Community (SADC) which includes Angola, Botswana, DRC, Mauritius, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, will be invited to participate. The exhibition will promote mid-career to established artists and will showcase the maturity and exceptional wealth of talent to be found within the region.
In support of the objectives of the AU and to foster cooperation between all the African States, !Kauru is supported and endorsed by the Department of Arts and Culture - International Relations.
According to Project Director, Tshepiso Mohlala of Back2Back Experiential Marketing, “my vision is for this project to become a bi-annual event which will showcase the artworks of top African contemporary visual artists, starting with the SADC region, thereafter touring 4 regions of the Africa continent. Ultimately the long term future plan will be to tour these exhibitions internationally”, she says.
The exhibition is a platform to promote conversations in Africa and to change perceptions abroad of the continent through its contemporary art. It is also a means to promote continental understanding of our heritage, as well as a respect of our different cultural backgrounds. The word !Kauru is indigenous to the Khoi people of Southern Africa. The concept means looking at oneself, out of oneself, seeing other people and things across borders. The exhibition will invite the public to participate in its discourse and dialogue and the debate will primarily address issues related to our cultural diversity.
It incorporates the idea that art is beyond words and hence beyond language. This concept invites us to ask: Who is talking? Who are we talking to? What are they saying? Are we listening? Why are we talking? Most importantly, what are we saying? The project grew from Mohlala’s own experience of the way that Africa’s different cultures, countries and regions view each other and engage with one another.
According to Project Director, Tshepiso Mohlala of Back2Back Experiential Marketing, “my vision is for this project to become a bi-annual event which will showcase the artworks of top African contemporary visual artists, starting with the SADC region, thereafter touring 4 regions of the Africa continent. Ultimately the long term future plan will be to tour these exhibitions internationally”, she says.
The exhibition is a platform to promote conversations in Africa and to change perceptions abroad of the continent through its contemporary art. It is also a means to promote continental understanding of our heritage, as well as a respect of our different cultural backgrounds. The word !Kauru is indigenous to the Khoi people of Southern Africa. The concept means looking at oneself, out of oneself, seeing other people and things across borders. The exhibition will invite the public to participate in its discourse and dialogue and the debate will primarily address issues related to our cultural diversity.
It incorporates the idea that art is beyond words and hence beyond language. This concept invites us to ask: Who is talking? Who are we talking to? What are they saying? Are we listening? Why are we talking? Most importantly, what are we saying? The project grew from Mohlala’s own experience of the way that Africa’s different cultures, countries and regions view each other and engage with one another.
“Arising from these often narrow attitudes appears a lack of confidence in the way our visual contemporary art is viewed; both by ourselves and by others. It is still the default view to see ‘African art’ as primarily tribal, ethnic, traditional, crafty and ‘naïve’ in genre. This therefore undermines the relevance and importance of our contemporary artists and the sophistication of their practice.”
“A senior South African curator has been appointed to work on the 2013 exhibition and we are excited to announce these details in due course.”
The first initiative of this contemporary visual art project was an exhibition that took place on 25 May 2012 at the Sandton Art Gallery in Johannesburg which was accompanied by a workshop on professional practice for aspirant contemporary artists. The exhibition, “Made in Africa” was curated by Andile Magengelele in conversation with Nontobeko Ntombela. The exhibition featured the works of Franck Lundangi (Angola), Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum (Botswana), Blessing Ngobeni, Sandile Zulu, Lehlogonolo Mashaba (South Africa), Alex Maphalala (Swaziland), Patrick Makumbe (Zimbabwe) and many more.
!Kauru 2013 will open on 24 May and will run until the 30th June 2013 at the Pretoria Art
“A senior South African curator has been appointed to work on the 2013 exhibition and we are excited to announce these details in due course.”
The first initiative of this contemporary visual art project was an exhibition that took place on 25 May 2012 at the Sandton Art Gallery in Johannesburg which was accompanied by a workshop on professional practice for aspirant contemporary artists. The exhibition, “Made in Africa” was curated by Andile Magengelele in conversation with Nontobeko Ntombela. The exhibition featured the works of Franck Lundangi (Angola), Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum (Botswana), Blessing Ngobeni, Sandile Zulu, Lehlogonolo Mashaba (South Africa), Alex Maphalala (Swaziland), Patrick Makumbe (Zimbabwe) and many more.
!Kauru 2013 will open on 24 May and will run until the 30th June 2013 at the Pretoria Art
Museum, Corner of Francis Baard and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Arcadia, Pretoria.
Additional information:
Profile: Project Director: Tshepiso Mohlala
Tshepiso Mohlala has worked on projects such as the Johannesburg Development Agency – Regeneration of Rocky Raleigh High Street in Yeoville 2004 -2006. Fifa World Cup 2006 – Unveiling of the 2010 Emblem (Berlin, Germany June 2006). 2010 Fifa World Cup Preliminary Draw 2007, Durban ICC. The Lion King CSI Programme 2007. Emblems Change and Naming Campaign for National Teams 2008 – Department of Sports and Recreation. FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP 2009 Opening and closing ceremony (Casting and volunteer management Director). The Biggest Painting in the World (An African Arts Legacy project building up to 2010 – ON GOING PROJECT. Ekurhuleni Municipality (Municipal service awareness campaigns) 2008. Liquitech (Brand Collateral) 2009. Coca Cola Summer Yama Summer talent search 2009. FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 – Opening and closing ceremony (Mass Cast and Legacy Director). The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz CSI programme, August 2010. The Launch of Zain to Airtel in Malawi, November 2010. Mc Donald’s under 14 schools tournament (Community Development)
Additional information:
Profile: Project Director: Tshepiso Mohlala
Tshepiso Mohlala has worked on projects such as the Johannesburg Development Agency – Regeneration of Rocky Raleigh High Street in Yeoville 2004 -2006. Fifa World Cup 2006 – Unveiling of the 2010 Emblem (Berlin, Germany June 2006). 2010 Fifa World Cup Preliminary Draw 2007, Durban ICC. The Lion King CSI Programme 2007. Emblems Change and Naming Campaign for National Teams 2008 – Department of Sports and Recreation. FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP 2009 Opening and closing ceremony (Casting and volunteer management Director). The Biggest Painting in the World (An African Arts Legacy project building up to 2010 – ON GOING PROJECT. Ekurhuleni Municipality (Municipal service awareness campaigns) 2008. Liquitech (Brand Collateral) 2009. Coca Cola Summer Yama Summer talent search 2009. FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 – Opening and closing ceremony (Mass Cast and Legacy Director). The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz CSI programme, August 2010. The Launch of Zain to Airtel in Malawi, November 2010. Mc Donald’s under 14 schools tournament (Community Development)
