Recent Thupelo Workshop

THUPELO WORKSHOPS / RECENT WORKSHOPS

THUPELO INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP RUTH PROWSE, CAPETOWN, 2007

WHAT I BRING WITH ME , WHAT I WILL TAKE BACK:
an honest reflection on a two week international art workshop

“27 artists.2 weeks and 11 countries” reads a recent invitation to a collaborative exhibition that celebrated an eclectic body of art that emerged from the 2007 Thupelo International Urban workshop. The two week workshop held at Ruth Prowse School of Art , from 1- 15 December 2007 saw artists converge from as far as India, Mauritius, Germany, Sweden, the USA, Congo (DRC), Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and a cross section of communities across South Africa including Durban, Butterworth, Pretoria and Cape Town. The brief was simple - art and work and we're privileged. The lack of facilitation and the open theme to the workshop, demanded that the individual bring to the workshop what they thought was important.

View more images from the Thupelo workshop

	ARTISTS STATEMENTS: (in alphabetical order of surname )


		" I started looking forward to the presentations everyday I could relate to so much of what people talked about, like people from different nationalities speaking the same language that was awesome. I found the interaction and discussions with other artist and between artists fascinating. The differences in opinions left me with a lot to think about. I’ve learned so much and I feel like I’ve made a lot of progress in a short period of time. I feel very fortunate to have had this experience, Thank you " Igshaan Adams (Cape Town)

		" Thupelo enabled artists form around the globe, professional and aspiring, young and old, a space to establish themselves In a conducive environment in which they would work, explore space, media and ideas. The presentations and walkabouts created an enabling environment for artists to share their works and engage in a robust sincere and honest dialogue that ranged from challenging socio-political and cultural status quo, to questioning beliefs and value systems as well as social ills like the HIV/AIDS pandemic. One thing that stood out was the artists’ portfolios that evoke human emotions beauty, serenity, anger and celebration of life…To all the wonderful family of artists I look forward to ongoing networks " Mlandeli Lennox Bonile (Cape Town)

		" I could not have imagined what a great impact these two weeks would have on my work. Participating in the Thupelo workshop somehow created a mental space for experimentation, taking chances with my pieces, not being precious about the end result. I know that this was not only a personal response, but that this was the prevalent feeling evident in the change that is visible in a lot of the artists work; This kind of change happens within a stimulating challenging and free environment. " Ena Carstens (Cape Town)

		" ….A place to experiment, an inspiring space, an open minded group, from lots of nations, all of them with their own skills, ideas, backgrounds, talking, discussing, reflecting was one part of the whole….. the other was the luxury of time and material to work with and just to be…working as a fulltime artist, with out any other function than art and creating any work was a luxury…. From the inner to the outer spaces…… at the end I landed here and with myself " Uta Göbel-Groß (Germany)

		" I participated in my first Thupelo workshop in 1996. It was a turning point for me. Now I’m back for my second workshop experience, I must say this workshop is more important for me. All new ideas….. sharing experiences with all friendly, kind hearted and skilful artists from all over the world. I’m so grateful to be a part of this exchange. " Click here to hear Torsen's recent comment. Torsten Jurell (Sweden)

		"It’s one of the best workshops I’ve ever attended. I gained a lot during these two weeks... God bless you" Esther Kiarie (Kenya)

		"The workshop was good. I have a great time. I enjoyed how people worked together. Offering fresh ideas and new approaches to painting .Through the presentations I got inspired. On my return to Zimbabwe, I will present a collection of work by participants of this workshop and share with other young artists what I have learnt." Mercy Moyo (Zimbabwe)

		“This has been a metamorphic, affirming and inspirational experience that will remain engraved in my soul, like a permanent imprint of assurance. The workshop provided a space for me to not only interact with a variety of catalysts, but to further probe and sincerely reflect on my artistic aspirations. Thank you.” Witty Nyide (Durban)

		" The workshop was for me an opportunity to get away from my private artistic practice and get to interact with artists from different backgrounds. Had tons of fun and if I could, would do it all over again." Thom Ongonga (Kenya)

		" Thupelo 2007: energy, synergy, unity, confrontation, exposure, disclosure, exchange, growth, inspiration, channeling, reflection and searching. " Loyiso Qanya (Cape Town )

		" Thupelo has been a good experience; I was able to meet some interesting people through the workshops. The space I chose to work has been an experience which is one of a kind. Interaction with fellow artists was good and illuminating in terms of cultivating ideas which meant a lot for somebody as young as myself. I worked in a different way, exploring new avenues and methods of self expression… " Uma Ray (India)

		" I feel very enriched and grateful for every moment, every person involved and every interaction and exchange. I am leaving this workshop with so much new beginnings and food for the next part of my art making journey and life. The workshop and the artists have been great; I found a constant flow of inspiration, impulses, ideas, thoughts, considerations and friendliness. I learned so much about art, other traditions, people and myself. It was a wonderful gift to be able to be part of the Thupelo experience! Thank you. " Imka Rust ( Namibia)

		" It was really revealing getting “lost” in the process of print making at this workshop. Print making requires a lot of concentration. It’s highly technical as well as creative process, for me, I like to sketch on copper plates to explore the unusual effects that can be achieved through this process. I Like to “maximize” the potential and possibilities that the copper plates yield. Normally I facilitate workshops. I was invited to this Thupelo workshop to participate and it was a real treat for me " Leonard Shapiro (Cape Town)

		”Thupelo Art workshops are very demanding for the participants because they are unstructured, unfacilitated and not theme based. An urban workshop comes with its own challenges and tricks. The individual artists are asked to locate themselves and their practice in a new space with limited time, there is a need to interact and exchange, to work without distraction. Art and work –the process is very vigorous…” Jill Trappler (Cape Town)

		" For me, the Thupelo International Workshop (2007) has been an exciting experience. I enjoyed, firstly, meeting and working with artists from various cultural backgrounds, sharing and testing ideas outside my comfort zone. I am grateful to the organizers, funders and facilitators of the workshop and wish to be part of this family of artists for an extended period of time. " Mduduzi Xakaza (Durban)

		" It was a nice time for me to work with different artists from different cultural backgrounds and sharing ideas and skills. " Keith Zenda (Zimbabwe)

		" The Thupelo Workshop hosted exposed me to a, variety of art form productions. This was possible through activities such as the afternoon power point presentations which provided us with a glimpse of what each artist was engaged in. In addition to that, the three day walkabout sessions gave us an opportunity to engage with each artists’ conceptual concerns with the different inputs from the group. I would therefore like to proclaim that as a young developing artist, the workshop was a platform of exploration, growth and conceptual growth. As a participant, I would like to express my feelings of gratitude." Nozipho Zulu (Durban SA)

		“ Last week I took down the exhibit of work from our time at Thupelo Cape Town…titled "Sharing Spaces". That spoke about shared studio space and shared personal spaces. I must tell you the exhibit was very well received in our community. There were over 150 people who came to the opening night of the exhibit. Everyone I spoke with was not only impressed by the artworks but also the concept of Thupelo, how we all worked together and the stories and conversations we shared. It was a remarkable response from local artists as well as community members and art supporters.” Natalie Craig ( USA)

Other artists participating in the workshop: Athi Mongezeleli (Cape Town) Barbara Bohlke (Namibia) Freddy Lokole (Congo, DRC) Josie Grindrod (Cape Town) Lionel Davis (Cape Town) Mwandale Mwanyekwa (Tanzania) Natalie Craig (USA) Nkosikhona Ngcobo (Pretoria) Sipokazi Spondo (Butterworth SA) Nirveda Alleck (Mauritius)



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