Co-founder of Artist Proof Studio remembered

The exhibition was held by Artist Proof Studio (APS) during the Open Newtown initiative on 14 and 15 March.

On 9 March 2003, artist Xaba fell asleep on the couch at Newtown’s Artist Proof Studio and due to a suspected electric short from a kettle, a fire broke out and the studio burned to the ground – Xaba died in the blaze.

“The fire that caused the loss of Nhlanhla and the studio was a truly devastating event for our community and the Joburg art world,” said Berman.

Twelve years later, Newtown is barely recognisable from the place Xaba left behind as much commercial development has taken place.

The district has been hailed as Jozi’s cultural precinct, but has also struggled to maintain its identity as a vibrant creative hub while other parts of Joburg enjoy a surging arts scene.

The studio itself has grown tremendously and even though the devastated studio took several years to recover fully from the tragedy, today it educates roughly 60 art students each year and offers professional print services to a range of established artists such as William Kentridge, Philemon Hlungwane and many others.

“It took a consolidated effort and the joining of hands with the Newtown community, local artists and our friends and partners to rebuild Artist Proof Studio into the centre of creative and educational excellence it is today,” added Berman.

One of Berman’s major regrets is that Xaba never lived to see the successes of Jozi’s post-apartheid creative generation.

“Nhlanhla is one of the people who laid the foundation for the exciting City we enjoy today, with his work and vision during the first years of democracy. We easily forget how difficult things were for artists then, and we risk taking our creative freedom for granted,” she added.

The exhibition, along with open workshops, will give visitors a fascinating glimpse into the creativity bubbling through this historically and creatively rich area.