August 2019
Written by: Deanne Kim Feneysey
ARTZ AFRICA CULTURAL GALLERY – KAAPSEHOOP MPUMALANGA. - LERATO (DEANNE) KIM. For many years the rural, cultural, indigenous artists of this Mpumalanga Province have been struggling alone while trying to get their Indigenous works exposed and sold to the public market. Many have been exploited due to the prices they accept in order to make a living. Traditional knowledge you might be aware is transmitted between generations through stories, songs, dances, carvings, paintings and performances yet these artists are struggling to just stay alive. This
sad yet true knowledge became the reason why Artz Africa was ‘birthed’. Over a year ago a group of Artists sat speaking about their current situation while attending the Mpumalanga Agricultural Show at the Mbombela Stadium. The three main founders were Lerato (Deanne Kim) a Contemporary Artist, Bob Mnisi a well renown Mpumalanga unexposed artist and winner of the 2017 Mbombela stadium exhibition competition and Shane Hlope – winner of the 2018 Mbombela stadium exhibition competition. It was decided that they would take this desperate need into their own hands and do their level best to make the difference. After only one year a database of 51 Indigenous artists from Mpumalanga alone,
was created. The non-funded project meant many hours of dedication and planning. Wellington Nwayo an active member in ensuring that the Youth of this Province is educated - Eagles Academy, and Nomakunjalo Mthethwa a Cultural Fine Artist came on board to form the Artz Africa Executive Committee. These five Art Activists stand united to empower and encourage the Youth of this Province to unleash their talents and produce quality works. After much frustration and continual drive to
market and expose as well as find a ‘home-base’ gallery for the Artz Africa Database artists, it was decided that they would take what they have and utilize the space that Lerato could offer to assist them with to set up their own Artz Africa Cultural Gallery. Artz Africa is now proud to announce that they have set up the Cultural Gallery, sourced a developer that was willing to develop on a pro-bono contract and set up a website http://artzafrica.co.za as well as an online google page https://g.page/Artz-Africa-Cultural-Gallery?share What we strive for next is to source sponsors that
will assist us with any external paints and brushes to create Cultural Murals on the Buildings that we will be hosting upcoming exhibitions as well as further expose our Mpumalanga Cultural Artists by creating a visual awareness to the buildings we occupy. Many of the Artz Africa Database artists’s works arriving daily to ensure that we make an impact to the public viewers that will soon visit this space.
For more information contact:
Bob Mnisi – Artz Africa Senior Manager and Project coordinator:
email mnisi@gmail.com cellular 082 697 3713
0r Lerato (Deanne Kim) nebulaeproductioons23@gmail.com
August 2019
The E3 Youth Development Hub opened its doors to the young people of Mbombela in August 2018. E3 is a public read more
Pastor, Environmental Artist & Motivational Speaker. His Royal Highness, Prince Manqoba Dlamini is a Nature read more
I am Colourful is an NPC that aims to raise public awareness on the abduction and discrimination of peop read more
CROWNING CEREMONY OF MISS GAY RSA 2019. This year’s Grand Finale of Miss Gay RSA will be taking place on Satur read more
Mpumalang.it was founded in March 2019 with the aim to eradicate hunger and poverty by engaging with activit read more
Labasikati is a woman empowerment organisation based in Kutsong Matsulu B Mpumalang.it was read more
Phumla Angel Nkomo, 24 years old is a South African Afro-pop/RNB female singer. She established her ca read more
ARTZ AFRICA CULTURAL GALLERY For many years the rural, cultural, indigenous artists of this Mpumalanga read more
August 2019
