SO-WHERE-FROM?
The history of Soweto is a tapestry of interwoven themes of
joy, pain, diversity, and resilience. The previous dispensation had never
imagined that the place they created, to effectively exile authentic South
Africans into a crime ridden ghetto, would create a breeding ground for legends
in art, across disciplines.
SO-WHERE-TO?
EST. 1912
is the premium location for arts and art exchange, in Soweto. It is a hub of
creative economic activity and cultural activism ,that informs its patrons
about the tapestry of Soweto from its origins, to the next
vision.
Boasting
a multi-purpose venue with a restaurant, coffee shop, community library, book
shop, social bar, art business centre, gallery and international art residency, EST1912 provides a delightfully engaging backdrop,
for art development and incubation - the space
hosts events, exhibitions , live showcases and workshops.
It is
also supported by a logical and physical network ,of local art practitioners, professionals ,
artists, thought leaders and performers who are synergising their collective efforts, to birth a progressive Ecosystem for Contemporary African Art, within a local
and global context.
In
partnership with White City Studio Art Gallery, EST1912, wishes to
extend an invitation and opportunity to individual art lovers,
collectors as well as organisations, across the private an public sector , to
make a progressive investment in Contemporary African Art.
From the
6th May – 28th of
June 2014,a limited collection of art
pieces, donated by internationally
acclaimed fine artists, Samson Mnisi, Nkululeko Mahlango and Senzo Nhlapo will be
sold, as part of a progressive fundraiser to ensure that our facilities cater
for locally inspired, world class artists.
The
proceeds will ensure further investment to the Art, Culture and Heritage,
within the Soweto Art Ecosystem :
- 50%, will be use for enhancement and optimisation of the gallery for current and future showcases and exhibitions,
- 15% of the proceeds will be donated to the Motlalepula Chabaku Foundation - Arts and Culture Program.
This is
one of many initiatives that will create a converging point for a collaborative transformation of the
Contemporary African Art Ecosystem for
all players. It is positioned to cultivate artist career development ,as well
as, strike a balance between commercial
viability, and community development,
while creating a market.
ABOUT OUR BENEFACTORS - THE ARTISTS?
Samson Mnisi
Samson Mnisi is a Soweto Based Artists, who studied Fine
Art and photography at the acclaimed FUBA Academy. He has significant following and global footprint having
served numerous residencies across
the world, including South America, the U.S.A, Europe, Madagascar and
Africa. His wrap sheet includes sixteen solo exhibitions, thirteen 2 man shows and eighteen group
exhibitions.
Some of
his clients are based locally, but mostly are abroad. His patronage includes patrons
such as; Austin Museum of Art, BMW, FUBA (Federated Union of Black Artists), Joburg Art
Gallery, Rand Merchant Bank, Vodacom, Spier Wines, Museum Africa, Johannesburg, Museum for African
Art, New York Vassar College, Yale University, Chris Angell, Wayne Barker, Debs
Burki, Jeffrey
Burki, David Cudaback, Simphiwe Dana, Martin Deutsch, Jim Figura, Tommy Figura, Joachim
Esteve, Francis
Ferguson, Tunde Giwa, John Hersey, Ann Hersey, Diane Hersey, Rose Klabin, Ed Leffingwell, Gerard Malanga, Thandiswa Mazwai, Zanele Mbeki,
Diane Milheiser, Ross Milheiser William O’Neill, Marylin Oshman, Patricia Patton, Bud and Betsy Schulberg, Mongane Wally Serote, Lois
Stark, Liz Thomson, Patricia Thrane, Barbra Wertkins.
Nkululeko Mahlangu
Nkululeko Mahlangu’s concept
is based on an Idea which simply put means that he IS! An innovative designer,
exploring art. To expand a concept/idea is to give meaning to it. When
explained, an idea is a target that beckons. Ideas Inspire, grab and transform
purpose into action. In his own words:
“I have
learnt that ideas, as a product of the human mind are the world’s most valuable
things”
Nkululeko is a
Soweto based artists of Koi Heritage amongst many others, being a product of the South
Western Townships. He produces contemporary pieces that transcend canvass and
street art. The subject matter is specifically African and lends dialogue to
the historical and cultural influences of modern day Urban Youth in a current
paradigm. He also has a colourful artistic timeline that includes a learnership at the
Design Centre as a result of being merited for his work in Sculpture and visual
art, as well as showcases at Kliptown Hotel, Gauteng Legislature, Yeoville
Recreation Centre, Regina Mundi. Gallery 7 Constitution Hill, EST 1912, Soweto
Theatre and Vilakazi Street – which are all key heritage art and culture sites.
His
mastered disciplines include: Visual Art, Sculpture and Photography
Senzo Nhlapo
Senzo Nhlapo (born in
Soweto) studied Fine Arts at the Funda Art Centre, Johannesburg, achieved a three years B.A.
Diploma in Switzerland at the Ecole Cantonale Du Valais, and attended several postgraduate courses, among
others at the Artists Proof Studio, South Africa; at the Academy of Art in
Berlin, Germany; and at the Ecole Supreme Des Beaux Art, France. He won several awards
and prices, among others the Award for Drama and acting, VW at Civic Theatre
(1996); 1st prize at Windybrow, HIV/AIDS campaign (1997); First prize for Home Coming
Revolution (2001).
He
collaborated in various theatre, performance and photography workshops in South
Africa and abrouad as well at several
mural projects, among others at Emisebeni Primary School; Batsogile Primary School; South View High School; Les Halles
Exhibition space SIERRE, Switzerland; and Community walls in Soweto, Lawley, Ennerdale, Lanasia South.
He participated in various group and solo exhibtions in South Africa and abroad, among others Mosaic and
Tile Design Gallery Hemerod (Germany) (1998); Funda Art Gallery (2000); Solo show at Emdeni High
School Cultural Project (2001); Peter and Paul Art Academy, United Kingdom
(2001); For Green Project, JAG, Johannesburg (2002); resident artist solo
exhibition, Funda, Johannesburg (2002); ABSA Gallery Art Competition,
Johannesburg (2003); Tribute
to Nhlanhla Xaba, RAU Art Gallery (2003); Artist Proof Studio Gallery,
Johannesburg (2003); Rand Water project, Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg (2004);
ABSA Gallery for ten years of democracy (2004); Les Halles Gallery,
Switzerland (2004); L’ ecole Cantonale du Valais, Switzerland (2004); solo exhibition, Les Cours Du Miracle, Switzreland (2004);
group exhibition, L’ecole du Bourse Art, France (2005); Cinquième Art Café Gallery, Vevey, Switzerland (2006); solo exhibition 7 Geneve for Izimbewu Project,
Geneve,
Switzerland (2007); group exhibition, Gallery Café, Vevey,
Switzerland.