Art that changes lives
NORSCOT - For the tenth consecutive year, Herman Mashaba's Black Like Us art initiative, which is held at the Manor Gallery in Norscot, has unearthed talent by announcing a number of artists who have excelled in various artistic and entrepreneurial fields.
The art exhibition was established to publicise talented African artists’ works and to provide them with the necessary business skills to move forward and support themselves.
During the exhibition Elias Sewape, Edward Selematsela, Abe Mathabe, Sam Maduna, Makiwa Mutomba, Peter Tobias, Adams Kone, Tokyo Mathobela, Allen Kupeta, John Vusi Mfupi, Thomas Ngulube, Lloyd Charakupa, Moses Masoko and Chenjerai Kadzinga were all presented with a 10-year Service Award.
“As South Africa has always been abundant with artistic talent, when the very first Black Like Us exhibition was launched, it was clear to Mashaba and Maureen Dixon of the Watercolour Society, that quality, rather than quantity, would be the order of the initiative. For this year’s tenth instalment, this was confirmed as 16 of the participants impressed the various judges to such an extent that they received Black Like Us Acknowledgment of Excellence Awards,” said Christabel Zulu, the public relations representative of the the event.
Artists who received this award included Broderick Somana for his piece Permanent Smile, John Vusi Mfupi’s collage presentation made up three works: I Have A Dream, Life Is A Journey and Balance And Growth, and Vatiswa Mtyalela and Charles Nkomo’s abstract offerings Every Woman and Caught Up, respectively.
Abe Mathabe’s The Drive saw him join the likes of Bukhosi Nyathi (Father Back In The Day), Sam Maduna (Spirit, Soul And Body) and Ramarutha Makoba (There Is No Place Like Home), who were also recipients of the Excellence Awards.
“All those who know the courageous tale of Mashaba, know that he is respected for his work ethic and determination that has resulted in him being one of South Africa’s most prolific entrepreneurs. This is the spirit that was identified in Mind Shana, Petros Mwenga, Patrick Rapai, Thomas Ngulube and Makiwa Mutomba, who also received Black Like Us Fine Art Business Achievement Awards,” Zulu said.
Mwenga, Ngulube and Mutomba have taken the values and purpose of the Black Like Us exhibition and lived them out by establishing their very own successful art galleries. These now offer employment and assistance to those who need it most.
Prince Matsika (Bucket System of Chitungwiza) received first prize; Mpho Makhubo (Wait For Green) received the second prize; Bheki Mtetwa (Playing Field II) received third prize; and Chenjerai Kadzinga (Heavy Rain) was fourth. Edward Selemetsela (A Journey To Travel) was awarded the top prize as Best on Show.
