Charity organisation receives artful contribution
JOBURG - Two internationally acclaimed art personalities, Michael Meyersfield and Mongale Wally Serote will stage a preview exhibition of a different kind.
The exhibition will expose Alexandra’s often forgotten good, simple life, and the vibrant spirit that underlies the township’s residents’ resilience to adversity.
The main event of the exhibition, Dark City Dreams Festival, will be held at Phutaditjaba Community Centre on 23 and 24 August where 15 portraits will be on sale in aid of MaAfrika Tikkun, a charity organisation working with orphaned and vulnerable children.
The organisation is a most befitting beneficiary as it is deeply rooted in the community through its relationship with one of the township’s philanthropists, Linda Twala, and its many employees who are changing the life of the most vulnerable of society, the children.
Introducing the two personalities, Michael Lubner of MaAfrika Tikkun said the portraits reflected the joy and celebratory mood of daily life in Alexandra, not known to exist by outsiders. “Alex’s vibe is often misconstrued as chaos and outsiders never know that the place does not experience child kidnappings nor road rage,” he said. “Hopefully the exhibition will instil a paradigm shift which will usher in a humanistic partnership in the interest of an inclusive society with Alexandra at the centre.”
Meyersfield is an international award winning photographer and Serote wears many hats including that of a poet, sangoma, leader and voice of conscience for the marginalised. Their combination is most befitting through Meyersfield’s photographs depicting images of a life that throbs with joy, happiness, excitement and hope – a departure from the usual poverty, illness, crime and grime. The images are matched by Serote’s erudite poetry which promotes humane values and rights. The portraits, priced at R12 000 each are of individuals engaging in their daily routines that reflect kasi [township] life, and Serote’s poetic messages make the portraits spring to life.
Serote is also the founder of Freedom Park Trust in Pretoria, a visionary monument that honours the lives of those who perished in the struggle for freedom.
The exhibition also coincides with MaAfrika Tikkun’s 20th anniversary.
Details: Angela Clark; 081 427 0427; www. michaelmeyersfeld.com; www.afrikatikkun.org
