Colours

I was recently reminded of the tremendous variety that KwaZulu Natal has to offer tourists. Ballito lies at the heart of that area – well within the reach of sea, mountains, game reserves and historic sites and more. Again, it struck me what a privilege it is to be an artist, surrounded by such beauty and variety! Artists are deeply affected by the world around them - they constantly take in visual images and create pictures in their minds.

I was fortunate this week to attend a meeting in Durban, where six top Durban artists discussed a painting they had done and explained the process behind the work. The work varied tremendously: an abstract based on a Sodwana experience, birds at the Botanical Gardens, a street in Amanzimtoti, a narrative work having its roots in literature, baobab trees and reflections in a puddle of water on a studio step. All of the work was of a very high standard and the different ways in which the artists approached their work was inspiring to say the least. All of these works were firmly rooted in the artist’s experiences and the one thing that they all had in common was a tremendous passion for what they were doing.

Should not the lush green rolling hills, the ochre and white sands and the deep blues and turquoise greens of our shoreline awake just a little of the artist in us? Indeed, there is within each of us that creative spirit. It is often surprising how many people have wished for a long time that they could further that artistic ability that has lain dormant since their school days. ISome even have sets of paints tucked away in the corner of a cupboard, all but forgotten!

Today would be a great day to take out the paint set, dust it off and make a start. What have you got to lose? Art students often comment on how they are learning to see the world differently and to look with greater perception. The worst that could happen is that you could have some fun, see the world around you a little more clearly and be inspired by the beauty that surrounds you!

Calling All Artists

“Networking” would appear to be the way of the moment. It began two years ago with the launch of a number of representational umbrella bodies responsible for Arts and Culture. VANSA or “Visual Arts Network of South Africa”, is the representative body for the visual arts and since its inception, there has been a move at hand to encourage artists and art groups in KwaZulu-Natal to “network” with each other.

Being a part of that networking has been, for me, very exciting as it has brought together artists from all over the Province seeking ways to work together towards the upliftment of the visual arts. Artists are by nature, fairly solitary creatures, perfectly contented with paint and brushes seeking only to be left in peace to create, so with this networking has come a realization of what can be achieved if artists were to unite and work towards a common goal. There has also been a cross pollination of ideas and a sharing of information about art products, art workshops, speakers, exhibitions and events. Networking offers you these opportunities.

I have had the priviledge of visiting a number of art groups and their exhibitions over the last few months and there is a definite stirring among the artists of KwaZulu Natal and a general buzz of expectation of exciting things to come! Group memberships are on the up and up and even in areas where groups have ceased to be due to lack of leadership, members are looking to re-establish them. Could we be on the verge of something exciting in the art world? Could an art happening start in this Province that could spread to the rest of the country? Join the “network” and find out!