The Bag Factory celebrates 35 years of art making through a group exhibition Maungo
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
If there is an art initiative that has stood the test of time, travelling successfully the difficult path from apartheid into democratic South Africa, it is this one. Started by a group of artists and some influential business people, patrons of the art, The Bag Factory Artist Studios in
Fordsburg, is still standing and thriving. This is despite the fact that several Non Profit
Organisations, especially the ones started during apartheid, to fund neglected areas of life under apartheid by donors, have seen their fortunes plummet as funders’ sponsorships dried up. The Bag Factory Artist Studios, has survived the transition as the country transformed from apartheid into a fully-fledged democracy. It is thriving now and in all respects looks well poised to continue to play an important role as a home to especially emerging artists.
Today, a number of artists who have been associated with The Bag Factory, both as founders and artists that once called this place their home, such as David Koloane, Sam Nhlengethwa, Pat Moutloa, Bongi Dhlomo Moutloa and Tracy Rose, to name but just a few are household names.
The art initiative has an impressive list of programmes geared towards assisting young, emerging artists. For example, through the Welz Cassirer Award, the David Koloane Award and the Sam Nhlengethwa Award aimed at benefiting young women artists – all of them started to assist young artists to have a door into professional practice through mentorship, accessing studio space as well as other support, such as gaining access to art material. These resources are often the difference between an artist making it professionally and failing.
The Bag Factory Artist Studios this year turned 35, and it is therefore time for celebrations.
Celebrating an idea founded by visionaries, who were able to see in the future, and the necessity for such an art hub.
And to celebrate this milestone a group exhibition featuring the works of those that have passed through its doors over the years, is currently on.
The Bag Factory is therefore aptly celebrating its 35th anniversary with a group exhibition titled Maungo, which honors the Ba g Factory enduring impact in the art space. This exhibition showcases a diverse collective of artists and aims to celebrate the Bag Factory's role in nurturing South Africa's most talented artists over the past three decades. The term; Maungo; means fruits of a tree,' reflecting he Bag Factory's commitment to supporting and developing artists. The exhibition is a testament to the Bag Factor’s influence and its continued support for the arts in South Africa.
Art lovers, artists and the media turned up in big numbers at the opening of the exhibition, ready to celebrate good news in art, and the vibe as great.
And so if you want to see what artists associated with The Bag Factory have produced and are still producing, we recommend that you head to The Bag Factory. Some of the artists whose work you will encounter and hopefully engage with, include Mautloa, Levy Pooe, Tshepiso Moropa, Kulonae, Sharlene Khan, Joe Turpin, Richard ‘Specs’ Ndimande, Candice Kramer, Erla and Gail Berhmann.