Christmas exhibition at African Arts Centre

THE African Arts Centre on Florida Road recently held its much-anticipated annual Christmas Exhibition showcasing the handmade beadwork, embroidery, telephone wire, clay and wood decorations.

The exhibition, which fulfils the Centre’s mission to facilitate innovative products through creative skills development initiatives, enables local crafters to generate sustainable income through their art. The African Art Centre development projects enhance the existing skills of crafters residing in urban, peri-urban and rural KwaZulu Natal communities, and bring to public attention the wares of new emerging talent. This year the Centre presented exciting new work by young creatives currently being trained through the African Art Centre’s outreach Velobala Jewellery Design classes. Weaving in telephone wire for the first time, Wonder Msane, Phumlani Mbhele and Phumlani Madela have produced a range of ornaments in the formation of stars, hearts and angels executed in specified colour combinations.

“We are thrilled to see young people absorb new skills so creatively,” said assistant director, Nozipho Zulu.

The telephone wire decorations will be available alongside the beaded, embroidered and wood decorations produced by well-known African Art Centre crafters; Happiness Dladla, Dumsile Mathe, Thokozane Mathe, Agnes Mthembu, Mavis Jali, Augnatia Khanyile, Tholani Mchunu, Hlengiwe Mbhele, Mbaliyethu Mabuza, Ntokozo Mseleku, Mbaliyethu Mabuza and Sbusiso Maphumulo. A wide range of products have resulted through a series of workshops facilitated by Leonie Malherbe, Busi Shinga and Nozipho Zulu.

A novel feature at this year’s exhibition are uniquely African-designed beach towels, the result of a partnership between Mr Price Home and four African Art Centre artists, Sibusiso Duma, Nonotobeko Jilajila, Mbali Mabuza and Timothy Mlambo. The beach towels represent the varied skills of the artists; Timothy is the wood carver and creates wonderful mythical creatures, Sibusiso produces intricate paintings done in the pointillism style, Nonotobeko creates wonderful lino cut prints and Mbali is a deft hand at applique embroidery.

Early this year Mr Price Home hosted a workshop with the artists and a Mr Price Home designer. The artists produced their artworks which were adapted by the designer to suit the manufacturing restrictions of towel weaving.

Whether you seek affordable handmade Christmas decorations such as angels, stars, hearts, tea lights with African character, or other traditional and contemporary African art, usher in the Christmas season in African style at the African Art Centre. The exhibition closes on the 24 December.

Contact the African Art Centre on 031 303 4634, or visit at 94 Florida Road, Morningside.