The creative economy lives!
SANDTON – The creative economy continues to thrive as different cultures came to life at the newly launched FNB Art Joburg fair
All walks of life came to life on the newly renamed FNB Art Joburg stage on 15 September at the Sandton Convention Centre. The art show was rebooted under its new owner, Mandla Sibeko, who has always believed that such a platform is needed for the Johannesburg creative economy.
“A city like Johannesburg needs to have a strong, thriving creative economy. I cannot think of any other city anywhere else in the world that is as diverse as Johannesburg, where you will find at least 54 African nations that live together,” he said during a panel discussion on the future of the Johannesburg art economy.
The art fair aims to create a platform for artists and art lovers to create, see and buy art. It was also important for the platform to represent real-time South Africa.
“We still have a long way to go in terms of changing perceptions round African art,” Sibeko said referring to a misconception that African art must be sold for a cheaper price.
In this sense, he admits that the creative economy continues to learn and grow from its experiences. “The creative economy is still preparing, we still have a long way to go. I have [however] seen an amazing shift in the last couple of years having more black people have access to spaces like these,” he said.
In the past five years, there has been an increased interest in African pieces, many buyers originate from Johannesburg. “[This]is an important shift to show that people are starting to realise that the African narrative is also part of the global eco-system.”
According to the panel’s moderator and Business and Arts South Africa CEO Ashraf Johaardien, the commercial side of the creative economy has seen a parallel shift.
“In 2000, BMI estimated the spend on the business sector, in terms of art sponsorship, at R136 million. That number jumped to R654 million last year,” Johaardiensaid.
Sibeko hopes that Joburg Art will continue to attract artists to help open to the city up to its creative economy.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/231671/theres-a-fair-share-of-art-for-all/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/233660/fnb-art-joburg-prepares-for-its-12th-art-festival-in-sandton/
