Creative solution to help artists
A local resident has offered her space as a free exhibition for artists have been hard hit with the government restricting movements to fight the Coronavirus.
GLENWOOD resident, Kate Snell, has opened the doors of her community workspace for local artists to exhibit their work free of charge.
Scores of artists lost their income as galleries were closed following the government’s imposed restrictions of movement. Snell, a marketing guru and socialite, said the initiative was a way of celebrating her 46th birthday.
“I see a lot on social media, people who are still lucky enough to have finances and not lost jobs. When they talk about supporting local businesses they are talking about businesses that bake cakes, salons but very few of them are talking about art. When the actual gallery is not there, very few of them know how to support it,” said Snell. “I just wanted to find another way for people to reconnect (with the community) and give them a platform to showcase art. When it (comes) down to these basic needs of food and electricity, art goes down to the bottom of the pile and everybody forgets about it.”
Snell said the reaction from the artists has been overwhelming and she has even run out of space to hang some paintings.
As a result, the paintings will be rotated each week.
Last month, more than 100 Durban artists wrote to the eThekwini Municipality’s Parks, Arts and Recreation department expressing the effects the national lockdown has had on their ability to generate income.
Majka Korycka, a veteran artist who has showcased her work across the world, said being an artist during this time has been “very difficult”.
“Art is not the first priority for a lot of people. You can love, enjoy and appreciate something but not be able to pay for it,” she said.
“As an artist too it’s important to go out and meet other artists to discuss and share ideas. To see their work, not through a phone or a photo, but see it live so you can analyse it.”
The free exhibition will be held at The Office 97, 97 Innes Rd, Berea between normal working hours.
All proceeds from the exhibition go directly to the artists.
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