01.07

TAG is a monthly electronic newsletter targeted at professional visual artists in residency at Greatmore Studios that is committed to shift the role of arts in society from the margins to a more central position. Accompanying a regularly updated Web Site, www.greatmoreart.org TAG provides artists with relevant updates about the studios and the artists’ work, as well as opportunities in the arts arena locally, on the continent and abroad.    .

EDITOR'S LETTER … (read more)

Continuity and change @ GREATMORE STUDIOS

• Special moments at a recent Thupelo Workshop Participants at a recent international workshop at Rorke’s Drift, Kwa Zulu-Natal, narrate their experiences in personal vignettes…(read more)
• A new wave of artists The Studios welcome two new visiting artists …(read more)

·       A Man of Mystery: In conversation with Ndikhumbule Ngqinambi … (read more)

• Broadening Young Horizons Another first: Greatmore Studios launches a month long residency in April to mentor artists young to the field…(read more)
• The Resource Centre gets a facelift Courtesy of The National Lottery and HIVOS Greatmore Studios prepares to install new computer software in the resource centre…(read more)
• UK cultural organisations prepare to visit the Studios …(read more)

IN THE LOOP…BEYOND GREATMORE

·         Making the connection TAG prepares to launch a special feature about workshops occurring on the continent, that fall within the Triangle Art Trust…(read more)

• Greatmore resident artist exhibits recent work at AVA gallery Local artist Anthony Cawood exhibits recent works at AVA gallery …(read more)

EXPERIENCE IT
OPPORTUNITIES IN RESIDENCY, COMPETITIONS & EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES

•  Call for applications for Braziers International Artists Workshop 2007, UK …(read more)

• The Julia and David White Artists' Colony, Costa Rica …(read more)

• Sacatar/South residency programme calls for applications, Brazil …(read more)

• Residency opportunities at pARTage, Mauritius …(read more)

• The Commonwealth Arts and Craft Awards 2007…(read more)

• Agora Gallery invites artists to participate in 22nd annual juried competition, USA…(read more)

RESOURCES

• Artists called to exhibit work free of charge on the Saatchi online Gallery…(read more)
• Trans Artists offers artists information on artist-in-residence programs world wide…(read more)

DIARISE IT

·         Open Studio exhibition for visiting artists The community is invited to get cultured and inspired through a contemporary art exhibition… (read more)

EDITOR’S LETTER

Tambudzai La Verne Sibanda, Editor in Chief

p.s. If you are an artist looking for new residences around the world I highly recommend Trans Artists, a rich database of reliable information about international artist-in-residence programmes.

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Continuity and change @ GREATMORE STUDIOS

Special moments at a recent Thupelo Workshop

A workshop is only fully appreciated after it has passed. As artists return to their usual settings and begin to reflect and mull over past events they begin to make sense of their very rich and unique experiences. Greatmore Studios invites you to take a photographic journey with local and international artists as they narrate their stories at an historical international Thupelo workshop at Rorke’s Drift. To participate in this memorable event that saw artists converge to exchange ideas and engage in critical dialogue about contemporary art practice, view artists' vignettes  and recent images at 

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A new wave of artists: 2 visiting artists poised for greatness

This January Greatmore Studios is proud to present two young conceptual artists to the space.

·         Nomthunzi Mashalaba, South Africa

Who she is: An artist who after studying and working in Pretoria for 8 years, enters her first formal residency at Greatmore Studios this month. She has previously participated in a cultural exchange programme in Madagascar where she represented South Arica. Mashalaba is one of a group of young artists who participated in the Wasted Work exhibition sponsored by Spier in November 2006.

Her style: Deconstructed, eclectic, conceptual and performative .Mashalaba’s work ranges from small sculptural pieces, video work and painting. The artist’s incorporation of fabric in her street installations is most unusual, and is an attempt to frustrate the ‘normal’ functionality of everyday things. She claims she could easily have become a fashion designer taking after her mother who is a seamstress.

Why we like her: Mashalaba displays an incredible looseness and freedom in her approach to art. Her work touches personally on notions of identity through the position of a young black contemporary Xhosa female. Possessing a very acute mind, Mashalaba’s work is intellectually dense weaving together text from various sources communicating a new, albeit interesting narrative.

Nomthunzi Mashalaba’s residency at Greatmore Studios has been kindly sponsored by The National Lottery.

• Paul Hendrikse, The Netherlands

Who He is A native to The Netherlands; Paul is a genre-bending artist, who last year this time served a residency at the Bag Factory Studios (a sister organization of Greatmore Studios) in Johannesburg. Well traveled Hendrikse has participated in various residencies in Barcelona, Korea and in his homeland, as well as exhibited his work in London, UK and Belgium.

His style An avid reader and researcher, Hendrikse’s body of work is conceptually rich and layered. Influenced by his fascination with space and context, Hendrikse’s almost scientific approach to his work is informed by his studies in architecture, anthroplogy, sociology and psychology. Intrigued by objects that are ‘somewhat different, unnoticed or simply ungraspable’ Hendriske delights in inverting and ‘corrupting’ the meaning of previously organized knowledge, exploring alternative ways of seeing.  

Why we like Him: Hendrikse pulls together traces of existing architecture, art and literature to tell a new story.Using the poetry of legend Ingrid Jonker as his springboard,Hendriske's makes some very colourful connections with his own Dutch heritage and South African history

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A Man of Mystery: In conversation with Ndikhumbule Ngqinambi

Not a fan of interviews, TAG is privileged this month to get an exclusive chat with new resident artist to the studios, Ndikhumbule Ngqinambi. Familiar with the studios as an artist in residency a number of years past and a participant of regional workshops, Ngqinambi takes time out from his work to share his thoughts about his maturing art practice and the new inspiration for his paintings.

TAG: Tell us a little about your artistic background?

Ndikhumbule Ngqinambi: I am self taught, I have been an artist for about 7 years but in 2000 I made a decision to join the Community Arts Project (CAP) in Woodstock where formal training saw my work mature.(in our next issue TAG has an exclusive interview with commitee memeber at Greatmore Studios,Lionel Davis about the new direction CAP is taking in 2007) I studied there for 2 years where I learnt the art of ceramics, oil painting and drawing. I have worked on a number of murals around the city, at Pollsmoor Prison and in Khayelitsha since that time.

TAG: This is not your first time to Greatmore Studios, you were in residency in 2003, and what direction was your art practice taking then. Where do you see yourself now?

N.N.: I can say my work was birthed around more social issues under a genre popularly known as township art. My work has since shifted- as I have discovered myself I have been unable to control the direction my practice is taking! In 2003, one was limited by the need to make money. My work has definitely become more personal since then. I’m currently looking at how I position myself in my personal space as Xhosa man.

TAG: Talk us through a little about your recent work.

N.N.: It’s more experimental work concerned with the limitations that we put on ourselves. Its about struggle’s, internal and external that an individual encounters and the movement that struggle inevitably causes. I am intrigued by the rich history of my forefathers. Wary that with each generation  the secrets of a community get lost, I want to somehow analyse though my work, the impact caused by failing to discover those mysterious and hidden treasures and codes from generations past. My work is mysterious and embedded with sentimental values of my people and family.

TAG: Visual artists are such versatile individuals. Tell us a little about your passion for film?

N.N.: Film is all about movement. Fine art for me is static but for me film is a medium that allows fine art to extend itself, taking movement to another level. It is more complete, the continuity in film from one image to the next is interesting.

In our end of February issue, TAG catches up with resident artist Bangikhaya Maqoqa who speaks to us about his passion for drawing and painting.

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Broadening Young Horizons

It has become an important part of the history of this nation to begin to plan projects that have a multigenerational impact. This year the studios are proud to stage a series of three one month long workshops in April, August and December 2007 that will target young and upcoming artists. This initiative is part of an ongoing commitment at the studios to empower a new generation of art makers, stimulating those to greater heights-we hope these series of experimental somewhat loose workshops or mini residencies will become a popular feature on the calendar at Greatmore. In a relaxed and empathetic environment, selected artists drawn from a pool of local and international applicants will have the privilege to interact with a team of professional resident artists of rich caliber, glean from their careers, be challenged creatively, and hopefully gain confidence to further their art practice in the future.It is hoped that mini-workshops will assist young artists in how to write CV’s as well as communicate meaningfully about their art practice. Artists will be privy to digital programmes available in our resource centre, and as part of enriching their artistic expereince in Cape Town, gallery visits will be organised. The unique opportunity will also afford the public a chance to come and meet up with young talent working ‘live’ in their studios. Interested artists are invited to submit their applications .Successful artists will be invited to spend one intense month in Cape Town, South Africa, developing new work at the studios . Artists who want to be considered are asked to send a curriculum vita, appropriate identification, images of recent artwork, a personal statement and relevant references to artmore@mweb.co.za .Travel expenses must be convered by the artists. Only 8 artists will be invited to participate per workshop.

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Resource Centre gets a facelift

This month the studios are delighted to install a set of new computers, kindly sponsored by HIVOS and The National Lottery. This brings a total of five computers to the resource centre. We will have one Apple Macintosh, two computers set aside for film editing and graphic design and two for general everyday usage. Adobe Photoshop and Corel DRAW Graphics Suite X3 will also be made available to artists for use. At Greatmore Studios we believe that tools like the internet are vital in dismantling notions of an isolated artist, encouraging vigorous exchange with the greater world around.

Our resource centre currently has a very humble library, and as part of seeing further developments realised at the studios, we are appealing to well wishers to donate old art journals and books that could expand the critical language of the artists. For more details please enquire at artmore@mweb.co.za. We believe that by reaching an artist and broadening their worldview through access to internet and relevant literature on the arts, such knowledge will trickle into the community through our outreach programmes.

IN THE LOOP...BEYOND GREATMORE STUDIOS

Making the connection

Watch this space in following issues for exclusive interviews with keynote artists spearheading art workshops across the region. For a general overview of other workshops around the world view www.trianglearts.org. In Art South Africa’s first issue in 2007, be sure to read Rory Bester and Alexandra Dodd’s profile on the influence of Johannesburg’s Bag Factory Studios (a sister organization of Greatmore Studios).While Bester discusses the importance of the studios with artist David Koloane Dodd profiles long-time resident artist, Sam
Nhlengethwa, following a recent publication of his monograph by the Goodman Gallery.

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Greatmore resident artist exhibits recent work at AVA gallery

The Association for Visual Arts (AVA) in partnership with Spier is proud to present recent work by Greatmore resident artist Anthony Cawood alongside fresh exhibitions by Nigerian artist Polly Alakija, Lynette Bester and Eunice Geustyn. Proving to be a harmonious melody of vibrant colour and shape, the exhibition at the AVA on 35 Church Street closes on 9 February 2007. For more information tel 021 4247436 or e-mail avaart@iafrica.com

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EXPERIENCE IT
OPPORTUNITIES IN RESIDENCY, COMPETITIONS & EXHBITION OPPORTUNITIES

The Braziers Workshop is an artist’s led initiative calling for professional artists working in all visual disciplines to submit applications for a unique international workshop running from 5-21 August 2007. The workshop which will bring up to 30 artists of all nationalities for 16 days, promises to provide a rich artistic exchange for artists who are keen to develop their practice. Artists are provided with accommodation, meals, workspace and technical assistance throughout the workshop. All participants are required to give a brief presentation on their work and take part in group discussions about work in progress during the course of the 2 weeks. Deadline 28 February 2007.To apply visit http://www.braziersworkshop.org/appform07.rtf . For further information on the workshop visit http://www.braziersworkshop.org/ .Specific enquires can be forwarded to info@braziersworkshop.org

Devoted to the development of the arts, The Julia and David White Artists' Colony in Costa Rica invites professionally working artists from around the world to apply for an ongoing residency at the Colony. Visual artists are encouraged to bring all necessary materials with them as imported art supplies can be quite costly and time consuming to acquire. While accommodation will be provided, artists are responsible for their meals. The Colony contains a small sitting area and growing library, cable TV with VCR, a group telephone and two Windows desktop PC's with Wireless Internet connection for personal emailing, short-term Internet use, and out-of-the-country calls. For an application forms please visit http://www.forjuliaanddavid.org/PDFs/Residency-App.pdf . Selections by the committees are made monthly. For further enquires email info@forjuliaanddavid.org

In partnership with the South Project the Instituto Sacatar is inviting established artists to submit applications for a two month international residency in Bahia, Brazil in 2008.By providing artists with a place to live and create new works, the Sacatar Instituto generates opportunities for its residents to interact and collaborate with the local and regional community. The South Project/ Sacatar Fellow will be provide round-trip airfare, a room with private bath and studio space for the duration of the artist's residency. The estate staff also provides laundry and meal service, except on Sundays and holidays. Artists are encouraged to work simply, with relatively few tools, materials or technologies, and to look to the local community and environment as his/her primary resources. It should be noted that there is limited computer and internet access. For further details about application requirements, please visit www.sacatar.org .  Deadline 28 February 2007.

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Residency opportunities at pARTage, Mauritius

Applications are open for artists from any field to participate in a 6 week residency at pARTage Mauritius, a studio that falls under the Triangle Arts Trust .Artists will be provided with an opportunity to participate in creative dialogue with a pool of other international artists. Selected artists will be provided with accommodation, part air travel to Mauritius and basic materials. Towards the end of the residency, artists will be required to hold an exhibition. Interested applicants are asked to submit a completed application form, curriculum vitae, 3 to 5 images of work ( jpeg format max 400kb each image), a motivational letter outlining the reasons for application and internet and a reference letter. No email applications will be accepted. Applications must be sent by post to pARTage Association, c/o Kitshna Luchoomun, Clairfonds No.1,Mauritius.For further information contact Krishna Luchoomun at kris612@yahoo.com or visit www.artshost.org/partage .

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The Commonwealth Arts and Craft Awards 2007

The Commonwealth Foundation invites artists from Commonwealth countries to participate in an opportunity in a biannual Art and Crafts Awards set to develop new skills, and encourage artists to gain international experience whilst sharing interacting with individuals from other cultures. The opportunity is open to professional artists and craftspeople aged 20 and 45. Application forms can be downloaded at www.commonwealthfoundation.com/culturediversity/craftawards . Applicants will receive awards of up to £8000 to the development of their art in their own country. Deadline for applications is 1 May 2007.For further details on the Commonwealth foundation please visit www.commonwealthfoundation.com

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Agora Gallery invites artists to participate in 22nd annual juried competition in the USA

Agora Gallery of New York City is pleased to announce its 22nd juried competition. Awards include an exhibition at the Chelsea gallery, cash awards, Internet promotion and review in ARTisSpectrum magazine. The exhibition will take place in Chelsea, New York City. The gallery/artist split will be 30/70. Agora Gallery will be donating its share from all artwork sales to an international children aid foundation. Visit http://www.Agora-Gallery.com/2007 to enter online or download the submission form. For further enquires contact Sam Green at samg@agora-gallery.com. Deadline is 8 March 2007.

RESOURCES

Artists called to exhibit work free of charge on the Saatchi online Gallery

Trans Artists offers artists information on artist-in-residence

The Trans Artists is a rich database of reliable information on over 800 international residence opportunities. The online resource centre http://www.transartists.nl/ provides artists with the knowledge and documented experiences of other artists who have taken up residency at several art centres across the globe.

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DIARISE IT

Open Studio exhibition for visiting artists

Watch this space for dates inviting you to join us at Greatmore Studios in Woodstock, as we celebrate the recent work of our visiting artists to the studio at the end of March.