Zendai supports artists at Beijing Biennale
An exhibition, which included a selection of the artwork to be shown at the Beijing Biennale, was launched at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Art Gallery.
Zendai Development South Africa (ZDSA) has come on board as a sponsor to present South African artists’ at the Beijing Biennale.
The art show is scheduled to take place in September this year.
ZDSA is currently developing the multi-billion Rand Modderfontein New City.
The project is expected to be completed over the next 15 to 20 years.
An exhibition, which included a selection of the artwork to be shown at the Beijing Biennale, was launched at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Art Gallery.
The exhibition was co-curated by Mr Gordon Froud, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA), and Professor Karen von Veh, of the Department of Visual Arts at FADA.
It incorporated a broad range of works by established and emerging South African artists and addressed their experiences of the first 20 years of democracy in South Africa.
The exhibition, which will run from July 1 to August 5, offers local artists the opportunity to showcase their work. It will also inform those who attend the exhibition how the vacillating social and political landscape at the dawn of South Africa’s democracy came to influence and shape art.
Usman Aly, the media director for Magna Carta, said the exhibition showcases more than 200 works by 115 artists.
Some of the artists taking part in the exhibition include William Kentridge, Mary Sibande, David Goldblatt, Diane Victor, David Koloane, Kagiso Pat Mautloa, Vusi Beauchamp, Clive Van der Berg, Paul Emmanuel, Kim Berman, Roger Ballen, Matt Hindley, Marco Cianfanelli, Jodi Bieber, Manfred Zylla, Andy Robertson, Christo Doherty, Mbali Dhlamini, Bevan de Wet, Phumilani Ntuli and Jaco van Schalkwyk.
Mr Anthony Diepenbroek, the chief executive officer of ZDSA said, “Our commitment and support goes beyond simply promoting local artists. We want the world to view this art as the voice of democracy.”
Zendai also announced that it will sponsor one of the artists to travel to China to attend the 6th International Beijing Biennale later this year.
The artist will be identified by the organisers and the co-curators of the exhibition.
“This is the second time in as many months that we are here at the University of Johannesburg as ardent supporters of the arts. We view this as a demonstration of our commitment to the promotion of the arts, artists and education. The Beijing Biennale is an important initiative, as giving deserving artists an international platform will encourage them to have a wider perspective of their role in a free South Africa,” said Mr Diepenbroek.
