JAN - FEB 08 IN REVIEW

10 years grown and Greatmore Studios is still in the business of advancing art making in the surrounding communities, converging professional artists from different backgrounds to exchange ideas and skills in a sympathetic environment. The vision has always been simple-work and art is privileged with special value placed on the unique imprint each artist brings to the studios. The experience offered is less structured and rigid, and more like a matrix of ideas, personalities and raw talent .This is a collective of hard working artists, many of whom over the years have chosen to share their professional and personal lives with each other. 2008 finds Greatmore Studios particularly proud to be recognised as an enduring and resilient space, that despite the many challenges of a cruel industry, has still maintained its footing. Home to a diverse group of local and international artists, the environment at the studios continues to inspire courage and strength- artists daily take ownership of their careers, investing their lives into art making.

At this juncture in its history, the artists and committee at Greatmore feel it is appropriate to rethink and re-engage the values, identity and ethos of this network. With increasing talk of national transformation, the artists have seen it as their responsibility to seriously locate themselves and their role in a larger cultural landscape, negotiating new ways of looking and making art in a communal space. In an attempt to be more inclusive and progressive the trustees and Friends of Greatmore Studios have seriously considered the possibilities of expanding the current holding capacity of artists-please keep posted to the website throughout the year for further information about plans to redevelop the existing studios. (www.greatmoreart.org ).

On its birthday TAG is proud of the South African artists taking up residency at the studios. Displaying a range of experience, we recognise them as the true creative pulse of the city. Here are men and women who actively pursue their chosen careers with professionalism, whilst making a meaningful impact in the local community. Indeed 2008 is recognised at the studios as a year of new possibilities. Recently the ongoing Visiting Artists Programme secured a satellite studio in Observatory dedicated to the production of ceramics. We look forward to having more such studios in forthcoming years.

So from my desk to yours it’s a hearty salute to all the artists past and present that have sowed their time, energy and ideas into cultivating a strong sense of community evident at the studios. Indeed we have grown from our clandestine past and are beginning to occupy a stronger presence in the public consciousness. To our fellow artists and friends working locally and overseas in the network, we would like to extend our many thanks for your unrelenting support over the years. We anticipate another ten years of growth and a maturing of our working relationships. In celebration of our special decade anniversary TAG invites you to participate in an online journey of reflection as we remember past artists, memorable exhibitions and the wealth of relationships that have been spurn from the interaction and exchange encouraged at the studios. Monthly updates throughout the year, will comprise interesting display of images, articles and essays that reveal to us why the first decade of our existence has been so memorable.Please connected with www.greatmoreart.org.

p.s In an effort to introduce new and fresh voices to the conversation TAG invites newest intern Sisanda Henda to contribute to our future monthly offerings. Please keep posted for these special contributions.

We always welcome your contributions to the content of this newsletter. Please e-mail us your comments at tsibanda@greatmoreart.org.za

our news

Siko Rest in Peace

Solomon Siko, a former visiting artist at Greatmore Studioswas laid to rest in December 2007. Emerging from the Community Art Project (CAP) Siko negotiated a full time art career until his death. Mario Pissarra describes the late artist as

“…a remarkably versatile artist, switching happily from delightfully succinct charcoal drawings, to watercolour, to relief carvings out of wood and coloured with oils…capturing the many facets of life in South Africa and perhaps more particularly in the Western cape-his home province. Scenes include taxi ranks, street vendors, shebeens, townships and all of their respective inhabitants and their various idiosyncrasies…his obvious sense of humor, vibrant palette and admiration for surrealism (particularly Magritte) make for a somewhat bizarre collage that is South African”

please see www.asai.co.za for more details. Siko took up a brief residency at the studios in 2004.

Meet an artist

Helen Barff I CONCEPTUAL ARTIST I

“I work with objects and various processes for particular projects. The processes involve direct contact with the object, although it is always absent in the final result. There is a strong relationship to drawing. The work is essentially ‘still life’, presenting a philosophical position on human experience through intensely tactile, physical work.

Helen Barff who recently completed an MA in Drawing at Camberwell College, following a degree in Fine Art and Art History at Goldsmiths College in 1999, lives and works in London. She arrives at Greatmore Studios to take up a two month residency, generously sponsored by Africa Beyond and the Art Council of England. This is a special initiative that aims to keep African culture in a central position within the modern UK landscape. For more information on the artist’s oeuvre please visit www.helenbarff.co.uk.

MARK LUMALAI PRINTMAKER IUGANDA

“I was born in the heart of Kampala, Uganda and graduated from the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Arts at Makerere. I now practice as a professional artist, exploring various approaches to image making. My primary source of inspiration to my work is the beauty and rich experience of the African woman. She is characterised by big lips and is always smiling. My recent body of work is a creative engagement of these women’s experience with their physical and social environment.”

AndreW MATSEPA I PAINTER I

BOTSWANA

I am a self-taught artist from

Botswana

. I have attended workshops and exhibited locally and internally in numerous group and solo exhibitions. My work consists mainly of semi abstract paintings-My choice of medium allows me to continually investigate colour and texture. I am inspired mostly by nature and its expansiveness. Currently I occupy a studio at Thapong Arts Center in

Botswana

Andrew Matsepa was a participant of an International Thupelo workshop in 1996.For more information about Thapang Art Centre where Matsepa occupies a studio, please visit www.artshost.org/thapong .

JANE TAGG I GRAPHIC ARTIST I

“I get bored easily and have itchy feet that see me traveling alot … my creative work relies on references to history and imagery gained from my daily engagement with everyday living. Most recently, my work has developed into a series of ‘how to…’ graphical representations through drawings and paintings. In the style of pattern making pieces and paper doll chains, the work symbolises the making of characters within the society. Coded into this style is a dark satire of the social landscape of places I find myself in. Through my work historical memories develop into a comparison of cultures in flux and different heritages of people around the globe.”

Jane Tagg has taken up short artistic residencies across the globe in places such as Costa Rica, Vermont and Budapest.

This February Greatmore Studios launches its first satellite ceramic studio in the Observatory Community Centre. Recent laureate of a Commonwealth Arts and Craft Award, Sadia Salim from

Pakistan

, will take a five month residency working alongside South African ceramicist Sharon Alberts. For information concerning residency in our satellite studio please contact André Barnard on 021 4479699 or alternatively email artmore@mweb.co.za .

Building on success

On its tenth birthday, Greatmore Studios through the active support of trustees and a dedicated team of Friends of Greatmore, is preparing to expand its current premises to accommodate more studios, workshop and exhibition space. The challenge of space, intellectual and physical are central to the concerns of democracy and for the past decade Greatmore Studios has occupied a unique role in the cultural landscape, providing subsided studios for professional visual artists to develop their individual art practice. Currently the developments of the studios will be staggered in various phases, embracing a green building philosophy. For further information on this initiative please contact Dr. Isky Gordon on I.Gordon@ich.ucl.ac.uk or Jill Trappler at jill@jilltrappler.co.za. TAG would like to thank all its generous sponsors for partnering up with us on this important initiative.

Conversations in Charcoal

Greatmore Studios in collaboration with the Department of Arts & Culture and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) will host 10 emerging artists from Gauteng, the Western Cape as well as Angola and Madagascar, for a drawing workshop on 25 March 2008.Coordinated by resident artists Ndikhumbule Ngqinambi ,currently exhibiting at the Soul of Africa Visual Arts Exhibition organised by DBSA, and sculptor Ena Carstens, the workshop will guide the participants through a intense exploration of line, tone and form using charcoal. The workshop will lay the ground work for long-term exchange between artists in the region as well as serving as a meaningful outreach. For more information concerning this workshop please contact Mr. André Barnard on 021 4479699.

January saw four emerging curators visit Greatmore Studios, for a brief introduction to the artists currently in residency. The four young curators enrolled in a Curatorial Programme spearheaded by Cape Africa Platform this year, were drawn from a cross section of the communities in the region, Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town and

Lesotho

. Despite some initial challenges the programme is moving forward and looks to develop the skills of the young artists in thoughtful presentation and criticism of contemporary cultural production. “Curating” is still a dirty word amongst many artists, and the young curators were asked to approach fellow artists with sensitivity and wisdom. The Young Curator’s Programme has a strong emphasis on practical implementation; the artists are expected to curate and mount exhibitions at various venues around the city.For more information concerning this project contact Cape Africa Platform at info@capeafrica.org.

Francophone connections

December and January saw a diverse presence at the studios as Congolese painter Freddy Lokole and Mauritian conceptual artist Nirveda Alleck took up residency at the studios. Both participants of a recent International Thupelo workshop held in December 2007 at Ruth Prowse School of Art, TAG caught up with them to mine their thoughts on their preoccupations with their art.

Freddy LokoleI resides in Congo (D.R.C.)

“ I have been painting for ten years. For me it is a therapeutic process. I believe art can heal people. My work focuses on showing the importance of women in society and how this directly affects the development and growth of men. There are strong links between the two sexes that I try and emphasis. I like to paint the experience of life, its complexity, the music…”

Nirveda AlleckI resides in

Mauritius

TAG:Walk us through your creative process
Nirveda Alleck: I like to ‘prepare’ my canvas at the start of my process. I manipulate the canvas -distressing it, tearing it in various places and then sewing it up again. I am a conceptual artist- primarily a painter who is working increasingly with video, photography and installation.
TAG:What is your background to the arts arena. This is not your first time to the continent.
N.A. I arrived in

South Africa

initially to obtain my BA in Fine Arts in 1994 at Michaelis School of Fine Art. I then furthered my studies in Glasgow, securing my MFA in 2001. Having had formal training in fine arts was important for me-my experience was that the style of teaching encouraged open dialogue. As students we were encouraged to engage critically with our subject matter and there was much emphasis placed on the conceptualization of ideas. In getting lost, I really found my own way. Although many artists will argue that university is a cop out somehow, I personally wouldn’t have developed as an artist otherwise. During my time in Glasgow, I was challenged to explore a new language of film that allowed me to introduce movement to my static images.

I returned to South Africa in 2006 and took up a short residency at the Bag Factory in Johannesburg, during which time I worked on a video project.

TAG:What experiences have informed your work?
N.A.: For the last ten years I have not had a fixed home-I have been wandering from one place to the other, working and studying, and have always felt a bit of a lost cause. My work deals with several subjects, vacillating between the spontaneous dadism of my handwritten text to a precise, mathematical and thorough approach of building my narrative. The work is often embedded with a rich personal history …
TAG:Where to, upon your return to

Mauritius

?
N.A.: I am looking to host a show featuring exclusively Mauritian female artists

The One Minutes Foundation in Amsterdam is making final preparations to host a week long workshop at Greatmore Studios in Cape Town late this March that will draw fifteen young visual artists from diverse backgrounds with a desire to develop their video making skills. Working alongside two Dutch editors using a programme called Final Cut Pro, participants will be encouraged to conceptualise and develop short narratives that will translate to video. Towards the end of the workshop edited videos will be screened at the studios, open to members of the public. A similar workshop will be conducted in Johannesburg at a later date. The One Minutes were established in 1998, and is a brand name for moving images that last exactly one minute, titles included. For more information on this initiative visit www.theoneminutes.org or contact us at info@greatmoreart.org.za.

Call for applications for mentoring workshop in April 2008

With hopes to push the envelop of contemporary art practice amongst a pool of emerging artists, Greatmore Studios will host a four week mentoring workshop in April 2008. Embracing the Thupelo model of teaching by example, the workshop will encourage experimentation, research and critique amongst diverse artists while putting participants in direct contact with a large number of practicing contemporary critics, curators and other art professionals. During the workshop participants will also have access an international network of artists, as well as the expertise of resident artists to mine ideas from. Participants will be encouraged to learn appropriate protocol to adopt when approaching galleries, develop their financial literacy and basic computer skills. Interested candidates working in various media (painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, video, installation) from

South Africa

and the greater continent are asked to submit applications for their involvement in this workshop kindly sponsored by the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the National Lottery Distribution Fund. Visit www.greatmoreart.org/mentoring.htm to download an application form. Interested candidates should prepare an updated CV, appropriate identification, a portfolio of 6-10 images (JPEGS) or photographs of recent work, a personal statement, motivational letter and relevant references that they can forward to applications@greatmoreart.org.za along with a complete application form. Artists are required to fund the full costs of their travel to attend the workshop. Accommodation and small stipends are provided for successful candidates living outside of Cape Town. Deadline for applications has been postponed to February 29 2008.

in the loop

Joe’s Choice

A solo exhibition that presents a tight selection of non- figurative work, Joe's Choice, brings together the experience and discerning eye of established artist and collector, Joe Wolpe, with the creative talent and artistic vision of Cape Town based artist, Jill Trappler. The exhibition showcases a variety of media from acrylic on canvas to etchings, made by Trappler over the last three decades and was borne out of a Wolpe’s strong interest in the artists’ extensive oeuvre that opened to the public for the first time in 2007. Although this special exhibition follows no particular theme or chronological order, it does succeed in providing a cross section of Trappler’s investigations with art making over the past twenty five years.

Jill Trappler who is a trained weaver developed her art practice at the Johannesburg Art Foundation, founded by her late uncle, Bill Ainslie. She has since relentlessly followed her creative impulse, producing primarily non-figurative acrylic pieces which examine her relationship with colour, scale, structure, shape, surface and texture. Joe’s Choice forms one of three exhibits at the Association of Visual Arts that opened on 18 February 2008 and due to close on 7 March 2008 .Other artists exhibiting are Selvin November and emerging artist, Colleen Gericke. For more information concerning this exhibition please contact Kirsty Cockerill on +2721 424-7436 or visit www.ava.co.za.

Thupelo Sculpture Workshop in Limpopo

Plans are currently underway to secure a Thupelo Sculpture Workshop in Limpopo spearhead by renowned sculptor, printmaker and painter Avhashoni Mainganye. With basic infrastructure for the workshop secured and necessary stakeholders positioning themselves to render necessary support, the workshop is due to take place in May 2008 contingent on funds being made available. Please keep posted to www.greatmoreart.org for more information concerning applications to attend this special workshop.

ASAI registers as an NPO

ASAI an online forum that was conceived in 2005 to stimulate public discussion on issues related to contemporary art practice in and around the continent is poised for a new phase of development this year. Recently the virtual space registered as a non profit organization (Section 21 Company) that will continue to develop critical resources for art practitioners, teachers etc on art in Africa. Recently ASAI launched a comprehensive retrospective of late artist Madi Phala’s oeuvre. Please visit www.asai.co.za to see this exclusive offering.

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Call for applications to participate in Video Art Programmeat the Bag Factory Johannesburg

Under the leadership of conceptual artist, Johan Thom and co-presented by Garreth Fradgley, the Bag Factory, a sister organisation of Greatmore Studios, is proud to present a series of workshops focused on exploring contemporary practices in Video Art .Participants will be introduced to a language of video making, including , developing practical skills of camera handling, basic lighting, editing, props, DVD authoring etc as well as strengthening conceptual skills such as evaluating video art, the relationship between concept and form, image and sound. The two week workshop will divided into a series of lectures, group/ individual exercises and discussions aimed at evaluating the relationship between Video Art, its practices and theories, and its capacity for inspiring new directions in contemporary South African artistic expression. For more information on the course and to apply, contact info@bagfactoryart.org.za.

A sister organisation of Greatmore Studios, the Bag Factory situated in Newtown, Johannesburg offers a continuous residency programme that invite artists from around the world to spend a period of three months working in a collective of artists studios. The opportunity allows professional artists to interact with local artists, while they develop their own individual work in a new African context. To learn more about the residency programme visit www.bagfactoryart.org.za

The first of its kind in Ethiopia, the 2008 ABRO Artists’ Workshop will take place at Asni Gallery in Addis Ababa. Under the aegis of the Triangle Arts Trust the workshop will closely follow the two week triangle model creating a platform for artists to work in collaboration for an intensive period of time with few distractions. Participants will be provided with accommodation and meals for the duration of the workshop, from16 to 29 April 2008.Travel expenses must be covered by artists. The workshop proposes that artists translate into various art forms their engagement with their ‘prenatal’ self or experience as it was developing in the womb. Interested artist are asked to submit an updated CV, letter of intent, 6-10 images of their most recent work to abroethiopia@gmail.com.Deadline for applications is 28 February 2008.

Under the aegis of the Triangle Art Network, Domboramwari Art Village has developed a revolving residency programme that invites artists from the region to participate in artistic and cultural exchange at the studios 30km outside Harare. The residency programme with financial assistance from the Ford Foundation provides professional and emerging artists with an unique opportunity to work alongside artist from very diverse backgrounds. Artists enrolled in the programme are expected to initiate outreach projects in the local community –while some of these workshops will have a strong educational emphasis, artists will also be encouraged to reach an older generation, offering lecturers and talk s in established universities and art centres in Harare and surrounding areas. Artists will primarily work developing their own body of work. For more information about this residency please email domboramwari_arts@yahoo.com or visit the recently updated website www.domboramwari.com.

Braziers International Workshop

Established in 1995, the Braziers International Artists workshop is recognized as a unique and highly valued opportunity for artist wishing to examine their practice in a critically engaged, global context. From 3 to 19 August 2008 Braziers will host an international workshop that will invite artists to work collaboratively, exchanging cultural artistic experience Meals, accomodation and workspace as well as appropriate technical support will be provided. Artists will be expected to fund their own travel expenses and art materials. For more information concerning this workshops visit www.braziersworkshop.org or alternatively forward your enquires to max@braziersworkshop.org.Deadline for submission of applications is 25 February 2008.

The Association for Visual Arts in collaboration with the National Lottery Distribution Fund and Absolut Vodaka have established an Artreach fund that exists to financially assist visual artists from

South Africa

working in a variety of media. To date, AVA's Artreach fund has sponsored art materials, art studio rentals, workshop fees, art tuition, children’s art classes, a sculpture peace park, a street youth drawing project, a gallery in an art school, art catalogues, exhibition expenses for shows at AVA, framing charges and production costs for exhibitions. AVA's Artreach programme primary aim is to broaden the existing opportunities open to visual artists working in

South Africa

by encouraging art education, by promoting through exposure, and by advancing cultural production. The Artreach committee meets on a monthly basis. For details with regards to applications please visit www.ava.co.za. Alternatively visit the gallery at 35 Church Street to obtain an application form.

GoodHopeArt is a dynamic organisation that provides working studio and exhibition space for local and international professional visual artists to develop their artistic practice. To participate in this special exchange, please contact Nico Eilers on nico.eilers@telkomsa.netor alternatively phone 083 285 78 74. GoodHope Art also facilitates art bridging workshops and life drawing classes for emerging artists.

An international laboratory for six emerging artists (21 years and older) around the world, the Wiels Residency Programme invites submissions from artists longing to develop their artistic practice in a professional context .The four month residencies are scheduled from June-September 2008 and October-January 2008. The programme provides artists with weekly meetings and regular evaluations of their work, visits by curators, critics and professional artists. Free access to interent is also provided. Successful candidates will be notified by mid-April 2008 and are expected to cover half of the total expenses of the residency, studio equipment, training; technical support and curatorial supervision .The unique experience affords emerging artists an opportunity to work alongside an older generation of artists. Deadline for applications is March 10 2008. Complete applications should include an application form (downloaded from www.wiels.org) , an updated resume/CV, an artist statement, motivational letter, three reference letters, 10 images of recent work (CD/DVD) , and be mailed to:

Wiels Artist in Residency Programme
Wiels
AvenueVan Volxemlaan 354
B-1190 Bruxelles-Brussel

Belgium

Arts for Global Developmenthas launched a project this year entitled TreasurePostcards that invites female artists across the globe to submit postcard sized artworks that celebrate the 2008 International Women’s Day .Interested artists are encouraged to submit work that addresses any of the following issues, illiteracy and education, skills development, economic development, HIV/AIDS and violence against women, The project is recognized as an important vehicle through which women can empower their fellow women, creating awareness on vital issues, related to girls and women. Artists are requested to submit work that has the following dimensions: 14 X 10.5 cm, in a variety of media, from photography, painting, mixed media, collage, poetry, caricatures and other. Submission of work must be made by March 8 2008.Selected work will be exhibited at 9^th Street Gallery in Washington DC in March 2008.Visit www.art4development.net for more information on this initiative. Enquires can be forward to tpp@art4development.net.

Greatmore Studios. Celebrating 10 years

PEOPLE I PLACES I NEWS I OPPORTUNITIES I UPDATES

editor’s notes

· An art studio grows in Woodstock Greatmore Studios reaches a significant milestone in its development as it celebrates its tenth anniversary…(read more)

in this issue our news

· Siko Rest in Peace …(read more)

· Meet an artist TAG welcomes five new visiting artists to the studios …(read more)

· Building on success TAG thanks its sponsors for their generous donations to the Building Fund …(read more)

· Conversations in Charcoal Resident artists host a drawing workshop for young artists …(read more)

· Emerging curators visit the studios …(read more)

· Francophone connections Greatmore Studios bide farewell to two French speaking artists…(read more)

· Greatmore Studios to host One Minute Video Workshop in March 2008 …(read more)

· Call for applications for mentoring workshop in April 2008 …(read more)

in this issue in the loop

Joe’s Choice Jill Trappler exhibits at the Association of Visual Arts …(read more)

Nandipha Mntambo exhibits in Siena …(read more)

Thupelo Sculpture Workshop in Limpopo…(read more)

Ngoma hosts an international art workshop Uganda …(read more)

ASAI registers as an NPO…(read more)

diarise it

14 March 2007.6pm. All Roads A collaborative open studio exhibition featuring recent work by four visiting artists …(read more)

our news

Siko Rest in Peace

Solomon Siko, a former visiting artist at Greatmore Studioswas laid to rest in December 2007. Emerging from the Community Art Project (CAP) Siko negotiated a full time art career until his death. Mario Pissarra describes the late artist as

please see www.asai.co.za for more details. Siko took up a brief residency at the studios in 2004.

Meet an artist

Helen Barff I CONCEPTUAL ARTIST I UK

MARK LUMALAI PRINTMAKER IUGANDA

AndreW MATSEPA I PAINTER I BOTSWANA

Andrew Matsepa was a participant of an International Thupelo workshop in 1996.For more information about Thapang Art Centre where Matsepa occupies a studio, please visit www.artshost.org/thapong .

JANE TAGG I GRAPHIC ARTIST I UK

Building on success

Conversations in Charcoal

Francophone connections

Freddy LokoleI resides in Congo (D.R.C.)

Nirveda AlleckI resides in Mauritius

I returned to South Africa in 2006 and took up a short residency at the Bag Factory in Johannesburg, during which time I worked on a video project.

Call for applications for mentoring workshop in April 2008

in the loop

Joe’s Choice

Thupelo Sculpture Workshop in Limpopo

Ngoma hosts an international art workshop

ASAI registers as an NPO

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Braziers International Workshop UK

diarise it

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