Beautiful Things exhibition oversubscribed as thousands apply to participate
The curators however could only accommodate 90 participants drawn from around South Africa, and their beautiful wares will be on display from March 10-16, 2022 at the Graskop Gorge in Mpumalanga.
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
The curators of the Beautiful Things Exhibition, which opens on March 10, 2022, at picturesque Graskop Gorge in Mpumalanga.were bombarded by interest from crafters from around the country interested in taking part in this year’s exhibition.
This barrage of interest follows an open call that was sent out in February calling for makers of beautiful things to apply for participation in the exhibition. The response was overwhelming, attracting thousands of applications, according to the curators and the organiisers
The entrants were required to participate in the following categories of media :: ceramics, beadwork, wirework, wood, jewellery, paper, fabric painting and printing, quilting, leatherwork, pewter, glasswork, embroidery and mixed media.
“After receiving more than 1 000 submissions for the Beautiful Things 2022 exhibition, the curators have selected 90 crafters – from all nine provinces – to represent South Africa’s craft art sector in all its diversity and vibrancy at the Graskop Gorge in March.
This public showcase of the best of South Africa’s contemporary craft sector will take place in Mpumalanga against the gorgeous backdrop of an indigenous forest from 10 to 16 March 2022.,” the curators said in a statement released on March, 2, 2022.
Presented by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and the Graskop Gorge Lift Company, the exhibition is due to be opened by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa.
And judging on the interest from creators so far the exhibition promises to be a week of exciting new discoveries for tourists, consumers, retail buyers and collectors alike, as South Africa’s finest craft artists display and sell their original handmade wares in the following broad categories: ceramics, beadwork, wirework, wood, jewellery, paper, fabric painting and printing, quilting, leatherwork, pewter, glasswork, embroidery and mixed media.
Everyone is invited to come and marvel at these objects of beauty produced by micro-entrepreneurs and small enterprises that contribute to the country’s world-renowned – and creatively rich – craft economy. The exhibition is curated by John-Anthony Boerma from Art Aid and co-curated by Mandla Hlophe of Malengs Holdings.
“We are happy that Beautiful Things 2022 will not only provide work and exposure to the 90 craft producers whose works are being exhibited but will also give direct employment opportunities to at least 65 more people such as curators, performers, security personnel, caterers and delivery services, as well as those offering marketing, publicity and technical support to the event,” says the Sport, Arts and Culture Director-General, Vusumuzi Mkhize.
“It is our sincere hope that this will kick-start a ripple effect as we make the necessary interventions to revive and reinvigorate our creative industries after two years of difficulty sparked by the pandemic. We look forward to welcoming South Africans to this curated showcase of truly beautiful things by our talented and resilient craft artists,” adds. Mkhize.
The hybrid exhibition will comprise both a physical and a virtual component, for maximum reach and exposure. For those who are unable to attend the exhibition in person, they can like and follow @beautifulthingscraft on Instagram and Facebook for updates on how to access the exhibition and the catalogue virtually.
The Beautiful Things 2022 exhibition opening on 10 March 2022 will be streamed live on Facebook at https://fb.me/e/8il32NYLC and on YouTube at https://youtu.be/IFMhcNzu8fg.
Here are the 90 successful crafters who will be exhibiting at
Beautiful Things 2022:
Eastern Cape:
- Bernadette Swartz
- Bianca Whitehead
- Lookout Sibanda
- Noluyolo Vundisa
- Cindy Ntombosindiso Maphini (Umvuzo Wethu Co-Operative)
- Yolanda Ginya
- Zoleka Muma
Free State:
- Dieketseng Mokone
Gauteng:
- Ashleigh Christelis
- Beauty Mpofu
- Charmaine Haines
- Chris Lebese (Pitseng)
- Clement Maenetja
- Gari Louridas
- Imbali
- Lindiwe Hlatshwayo
- Lucas Ndala
- Mmutla Mashishi
- Njabu (LaShongwe Design)
- Nkosinathi Hadebe (Nazo Accessories)
- Phindile Msiza (PR Designs & Accessories)
- Pholile Hlongwane
- Selina Makwana (Mapula Embroidery Trust)
- Sinalo Ntuli
- Sizani Baloyi
- Vusi Emmanuel Silinda
- Yanga Tukela
KwaZulu-Natal:
- Angeline Masuku
- Badumile Dlamini
- Bongiwe Mkhwanazi
- Bonisiwe Dolly Ndlovu
- Kathy Mthembu
- Udwendwe Arts and Craft
- Mano Dladla
- Mlamuli Zulu
- Ntando Lincoln Mgwengwe
- Ntombizodwa Roslina Khanyile
- Phumlani Nyawo
- Sibusiso Dlamini
- Woza Moya
- Zamandosi Cele (Iqhikiza Beadwork & Trading)
- Winnie Nene (Woza Moya)
- Buselaphi Xaba (Woza Moya)
- Thobile Zuma (Woza Moya)
- Benziwe Blose (Woza Moya)
Limpopo:
- Amorous Maswanganyi
- Karosswerkers
- Khazanhe Beading Group
- Kheila Ngobeni
- Mapuve Pots
- Mukondeni Potters
- Petrus Sekele
- Pilato Bulala
- Sophia Baloyi
- Tebocho Mathase
- Thando Mahlangu (Ingwani Creations)
- Thomas Kubayi
- Kenny Nonyane
Mpumalanga:
- Alucia Kumalo
- Elizabeth Malee
- Ella V Mahlangu
- Griet van der Meulen
- Thulisile Prudance Makakola
- John Nkosi
- Letty Jiyane
- Louis Hartley
- Margaret Mahlangu
- Sunnyboy Nkuna
- Eunice Nkosi
- Robert & Son Art Gallery
- Simon Yeseni
- Sophie Mahlangu
- Zanele Skosana
North West:
- Amogelang Pila
- Peter Makheta (Makhetha Hand Craft)
- Samuel Sibeko (Take No Time)
Northern Cape:
- Ruth Naomi Issel
- Sibongile Shane Mayongo
Western Cape:
- Aretha Doyle
- Goodness Ndimande (Design Afrika)
- Mphakathi Weavers
- Bomikazi Nomlala (Clareb Accessories)
- Bongani Khumalo
- Janette Anderson
- Godfrey Dambuleni
- Boniface Chikwenhere
- Jeff Mwazha
- Corinne Erasmus
- Monkey Biz
- Thiyane Duda