The need to assert ourselves……to occupy our spaces, and for
us to be able to enforce change, we need to COLABorate.
There is a need to organise ourselves and work together, and
create together. The most important thing is that we are aware of the many
challenges that have faced us, and continue to face us in the Art industry.
This has been, and will always continue to be.
Having said that that I believe we should work towards
change.
If we are not happy with the way things are, we should then
walk towards changing them.
For our Art to grow to its fullest potential, we need tangible
economic benefit, and resources.
Art is the soul of our community, and is the Obscured force
of Mind Emancipation.
It is thus fundamental, that the Arts Industry sees a
significant shift in the share of the industry.
We need to foster direct access to grants and funding, as
well as foster growth in the publishing of catalogues, magazines and newspapers,
around African Art and Artists.
We are a creative people, and thus we need to render
creative solutions to our problems.
I know that artists do not like to march or protest, but
they love performance.
Tonight is the beginnings of a tapestry of dialogue and
action, in a continued effort to claim our logical and physical spaces. We have
started an Open blog called the BlackBox at http://theblackest1.blogspot.com/
We are proposing to people to contribute content
and continue this dialogue.
I know that Social Media has made things easy,
but there still needs to be some coherency and presence.
History is important, if we are to understand
the present and change the future.
The marginalising of African Artists, particularly
Black Artists, is a symptom of the historical problem, of a lack of equitable distribution
and representation, within the Arts Industry.
Regardless of this, Black Artists have risen above
their limitations, and still managed to give us great music, theatre and Art.
The white people have been in the game for a
while – we can safely deduct that despite numerous Art that is produced and
even inspired by Blacks, the tool, mechanisms and operational elements of
navigating the economy of art, still remains with white people. There is a lot
that the Black People can learn from them.
Despite needing to confront some very
uncomfortable issues, we need to ensure the highest level of prudence in ensuring
that our current patronage, across the globe is maintained.
We need to develop Black consumers of Art, that
not only buys into Art but has a vested interest in Art. This can be supported
by consumer education, on the importance of art in framing our history, culture
and socio-economic paradigm.
Through such encounters we can exchange ideas,
numbers, network, and even get to work together.
We must know each other and create a common
calendar, that will help us to co-ordinate our efforts much more consciously.
It is important for us, to consciously support
each others projects, help to promote each other, collaborate and work
together.
