These days, one goes to museums, galleries and other dynamic spaces to appreciate art in its many forms. But art is so much more than items confined to walled areas… it is a living, visual representation of South Africa’s culture. Pain is often a catalyst for creativity, and because of SA’s turbulent past, art has become a natural expression for many people. As discussed at the recent World Summit on Arts and Culture in Johannesburg, art has an influential role in transformation and artists are in an exciting position to be agents of change.
Alive and creatively kicking
SA is artistically wealthy, with a vast landscape of recognised and raw talent in the arts. There are so many wonderful artists whose potential remains untapped. We can witness this in everyday life, even by the quality artworks sold at our traffic lights where art comes to life in furniture and sculpture – from all manner of animals to useful objects, intricately crafted from wood, wire and beads. Another strong artform portraying SA’s heritage is beadwork, from the distinct works of the Ndebele to the stuff sold in tourist shops as souvenirs of SA’s colourful culture. And we should not overlook digital art – the graphic and online talent coming out of SA’s design and advertising agencies – interactive, TV and web, worthy of international and local awards such as the Loeries.
But what is art?
From painting and photography to the performing arts with theatres in small dorpies to state institutions showcasing plays, comedy and dance. SA also has musical groups that have attained international acclaim, incredible music festivals such as the North Sea Jazz Festival and textile talent too in the form of fashion designers, artists who use the human form as their canvas. In the written arena, SA has produced writers like JM Coetzee and Justin Cartwright and has literary festivals from Franschoek to Durban.
Art is big business
Art is varied and vibrant in its expressions and forms. But lest we forget that while art is an outlet of creativity for the artist and a source of pleasure for the viewer, art is indeed also big business. Government funding behind the arts supports its social value and its contribution to culture, whereas the abundance of auction houses indicates the economic value.
Many great SA artists of the 19th and 20th century are collector’s items today and demand high prices under the hammer. Buying SA art is a good investment and a strong overseas interest has caused a meteoric rise in both hammer prices and the prestige of Sotherby’s auctions on an international level. Irma Stern (1894-1966), known for her larger-than-life portraits of local African people framed in old wooden door frames, had her ‘Woman in the kitchen’ sold for R4,480,000 in 2009 and in 2007, ‘The Indian Woman’ sold for a record R7,260,000. Black artists are also achieving great fame – an oil by George Pemba being sold in 2007 for R462,000
In the last few years some famous SA artists have died and their work has sky-rocketed in value. Cecil Skotness (2009) with his wood cuts, Pieter van der Westhuizen (2008) for his abstract, modern style, Frans Claerhout (2006) and Gregoire Boonzaier (2005) who captured historical District Six in pastels, inks and oils.
Art is alive
SA is blossoming with creativity, from dynamic groups and associations; to exhibitions, installations and platforms of expression; not to mention online directories, communities and clever ways of sharing SA art with the world. Art in South Africa is alive and well and creating a cultural scrapbook of our country’s history.
www.arttimes.co.za – a monthly broadsheet and online news portal for all things art.
www.theartmarket.co.za – SA’s first online sales and auction site dedicated purely to art.
www.capetowncreatives.co.za – a community for creatives and directory for visitors, showcasing talent including photography, sculpture, animation, illustration, web and fashion design and more.
www.iart.co.za – artworks by some of SA’s most prominent contemporary artists alongside works by promising, young talent.
www.southafricanartists.com – affordable, quality, original art in a mix of mediums. They also ship all over the world, so you can support SA art no matter where you are.
