Ikomkhulu Art Space: 7 – 16 November
Open Day: Sat 17 November
A ten-day intensive arts making fellowship, the much anticipated regional Thupelo workshop is currently being held at Ikomkhulu artists’ workspace situated at Ambassador House in town. This initiative of the Cape Town-based Greatmore Studios, runs until Friday 16 November culminating in a public open day on Saturday 17 November from 1 o’clock.
The open call was for 16 participants, but due to the astonishing response from the 42 outstanding applicants, there are 23 artists of varying development stages – including Durban’s upcoming cream of the crop and its many respected and established artists.
“The idea behind the workshop’s ethos is about creating space for making art without the pressures of structured conventions often accompanying the so called ‘mainstream’ institutions and is open to self-motivated visual artists who are keen to expand their ideas, exchange knowledge and experiment in fellowship with other artists. This also encourages a space for sharing skills and ideas in an innovative environment where artists feel safe to experiment and learn from one another. The intention is to allow fresh work to emerge in an open yet inward-looking way so that others can engage with it and converse. There is no hierarchy and no ownership. Since 1985, each workshop, regional or international, has had its own identity which unfolds as the workshop progresses. Because the material budget is often quite low, sharing and the use of found objects or donated materials is encouraged,” explains Witty Nyide co-ordinator for both regional and international Thupelo workshops in KZN.
Thupelo, which is SeSotho phrase meaning ‘to teach by example’, was initiated in 1985 in Johannesburg by David Koloane, together with the late Bill Ainsle and a group of artists. Both regional and international Thupelo workshops were initiated in response to a need for interaction between artists and are therefore artists-led.
The participants are: Bhekinkosi Nkwanyana; Kenneth Shandu; Liza du Plessis; Londiwe Mtshali; Major Ndlovu; Mhlonishwa Chiliza; Mondli Mbhele; Morgan Mahape; Mthobisi Maphumulo; Ncumisa Mcitwa; Nhlanhla Chonco; Nomusa Mtshali; Pat Mautloa; Paul Sibisi; Rohini Amratlal; Selloane Moeti; Smanga Zondo; Snenhlanhla Zondi; Thalente Khomo; Thami Jali; Thando Mkhasibe; Xolile Mazibuko; and Zwelinjani Hadebe.
The workshop culminates with an open day where the public can experience the visual conversations created during the 10 days, and this will open to public viewing on Saturday 17 November at 1pm and close on Saturday 18 December 2018 at Ikomkhulu Art Space, 4th floor (413) Ambassador House, 55 Monty Naicker Street, Durban.
