Visual artist Vusi Beauchamp wants to see art thriving at a new arts hub in Selby, Johannesburg

Beauchamp and other creatives will officially launch the arts hub on September 25, and the public is invited.

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

There are many things one can say about the famous Eloff Street in Johannesburg, but two things are particularly distinct about this street. In the first instance it is a long street, stretching out from Braamfontein in the north, cutting through central Johannesburg, slowly running southwards, to the east of Johannesburg, when it seemingly from the blue becomes Eloff extension.

I am not sure why the city planners decided to call this part of Eloff Street that enters the industrial area of Selby, a few miles from Johannesburg CBD towards the South, Eloff Extension. Maybe they had run short of new names and therefore decided instead of naming this part of the street that leaves a disappearing Johannesburg CBD, before it suddenly enters a new territory surrounded by buildings of the old architectural type but very industrial in the for purpose construction, to call it the extension of Eloff Street.

Maybe they were lacking imagination. For all I care they could have named it after so many common names in South Africa such as Tshepo, Thabo, or even Vusi, instead of calling it an extension of another street. In the second instance, and it is a good thing for that matter, everyone, even those that have just landed in the city, they know Eloff Street.

Anyway, towards its tail end, at the corner of what appears to be a very short and not so famous road called Hulbert Road, and this short road  emerges from the East without even a warning, and simply disappears into Eloff.  I wonder if it actually exists beyond this intersection as it seems to have long accepted its fate of being swallowed by the giant Eloff Street.

At number 15 Hulbert Road, only one block of building away from Eloff Street, I am meeting Vusi Beauchamp, the visual artist who is known for his paintings, mainly narratives predicated in socio-political issues that define contemporary issues in South Africa. Mainly abstract such as a piece on the wall of his giant studio I saw on this visit, half-done but already it had his unusual combination of colours, such as white, green, and pink all intricately layered to tell a sophisticated story about society. 

And I can tell you now by the time this art piece is completed it, will be bearing the quintessential Beauchamp signature abstract style touching on issue of socio political concern. But  do not be fooled. Sometimes in his art practice, the artist combines abstract and figurative forms in one painting, such as the other piece, also half done, that I saw on the wall. This one shows a blackened face, that seems to be hiding behind another layer of paint, and the face is not a happy one..

But that day, which was yesterday, September 16, 2021, I was not there to talk about his work and art practice, but it was a courtesy visit to his new home, a giant studio in this building. He has just moved in two months ago, but started negotiating with the owners of the building in December 2020, as he planned to exit well known arts hub, August House at End Street, Johannesburg East, his home for more than three years where his studio was based.

But at Number 15 Hulbert Road, Beauchamp has big dreams for the place, as he and his fellow creatives are aiming at turning this place, and not just his studio, into a vibrant arts hub, east of Johannesburg. It is here that he feels that experienced artists could assist young artists through voluntary mentorship.

“When 2020 came, It made many of us to reflect deeply about our lives and the lives of those around us, due to the challenges and opportunities that availed themselves despite the pandemic. For example, at August House, we had a group show during that time with artists donating everything from the sale of their work to an orphanage as during that time there were many babies who were abandoned by their parents. Suddenly we became aware of our surrounding environment, including the plight of the most vulnerable in society being abandoned by their parents,” he said.

But there was something else that also manifested itself in his consciousness during that time.

“I also realized the difficulties often faced by young, emerging artists starting out in the industry, and it is the lack of support from the visual art sector, with regards to access to material with which to create art and lack of mentorship. Sometimes artists would rather starve and buy material for them to create work, and that tells you the need for young artists to be supported, especially black artists because of the history of this country.

“And so to address such issues, I have started a Non Profit organisation that will work with young artists starting out who need support, especially those from the black community. The organisation will try to facilitate older artists to mentor the young artists. We are also going to assist them to showcase their work in this building, exposing their talent to art collectors. We will also design exchange programmes with fellow visual artists from the rest of the African continent. I have already started engaging with embassies in that regard. And so we really have big dreams to turn this place into a thriving arts hub,” he said.

And an arts hub, Number 15 Hulbert Road, is already taking that shape, as besides Beauchamp’s studio, there are also four other studios, occupied by an art director, fashion designer and visual artists.

“After moving in, I also facilitated the move by the other creatives. In fact around Selby there are other two buildings that are a home to artist studios. The fact of the matter is, this area is quiet, and is far away from the CBD noise. As artists we need that kind of environment when we are working,” said the fine art graduate from Tshwane University of Technology.

In fact Beachamp and the other creatives are planning on an official launch of the arts hub on September 25, 2021, and arts lovers, art collectors and the public are invited to the event.

“There will be music, studio visit opportunities and other events to introduce this space to the public on September 25, 2021, starting from 10 am until about 8pm,” he revealed.

.The new arts hub will officially launch on September 25, 2021, at Number 15 Hulbert Road, Corner of Eloff, Extension, Selby, Johannesburg.