Grade 3 pupils looking at the 100 artworks from 71 Eastern Cape creatives in Gqeberha said the exhibition was giving “Mgidi vibes”.
This is how Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum director Emma O’Brien described the deep impact of the eighth Lithuba Lakho Competition and Exhibition at the museum, which opened on Friday February 20.
“The learners were responding to the vibrant look and feel of the exhibition which is both a celebration of tradition while being a space of dynamic artistic talent,” O’Brien said.
“There is a range of creativity on display, including quiet and contemplative works about who we are and our history, to bright and bold traditional beaded items, ceramics and other accessories.
“We aimed to include a youthful voice in the exhibition with a strong selection of Fine Art students represented.
“Student works tackled tough themes like anxiety in our youth, and male traditional identity in the modern world.”
An initiative of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) in partnership with the municipality through the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum and the Red Location Art Gallery, it runs until March 22.
O’Brien said this was the first year that visual art was included alongside crafts.
“The final product has been beyond our expectations and we will definitely continue to use this platform to reflect on the talent that we have in the Eastern Cape.
“There are not enough platforms here to promote local art, and we will continue to work towards trying to provide this.”
Artists are also in the running for prizes across six categories split between the art and crafts.
There was a R15,000 first prize, R10,000 for second and R5,000 for third, which would go towards the development of the businesses of the winners, ECDC Gqeberha regional manager Vuyokazi Zozi said.
ECDC arts and culture co-ordinator Athi Baliso said: “The ECDC creative industries desk is looking at exporting the Lithuba Lakho exhibition to Jacksonville, Florida, US, next year.
“We are looking at conducting extensive product development training on a number of art forms like ceramic design, beadwork, sewing, painting and leather goods.
“We will also be conducting enterprise development workshops on marketing, bookkeeping and financial management.”
Though artist Thembelihle Ngesi, 32, from East London, could not attend the opening in person, his acrylic painting was selected, which took him six months to complete.
“I felt grateful to witness how our imagination and cultural heritage are being celebrated. It felt like I was there in spirit. May God bless our gifts,” Ngesi said.
Khanyisa Peter, 40, from East London, operates as Rollinstitches, and crochets multipurpose baskets, throws and other decor items from upcycled cotton.
“Besides their versatility and practicality, they are unique items that bring warmth and elegance to any space,” Peter said.
“I feel incredibly honoured and excited to have my work showcased alongside so many talented Eastern Cape artists.
“Seeing my crochet pieces featured among other unique works motivates me to keep pushing my creative boundaries and sharing my other passion, among other things, with others.
“I am truly grateful to the ECDC for their support. Their encouragement and assistance have played a vital role in helping me grow my crochet business and showcase my work to a wider audience.
“It’s inspiring to know that local artists and entrepreneurs are being recognised and supported, allowing us to contribute to the creative economy.
“This support motivates me to continue crafting and hopefully, someday, I will share my skills with my community and beyond.”
Exhibitor Fikile Peter, 48, from Mthatha, is a self-taught artist and trained sculptor who blends wood, leather, and brass to create functional art and decor objects.
“Art has been a major part of my life since childhood,” Peter said.
“It was nurtured through my curiosity for nature, and everything that keeps us whole.
“I became an artist to raise the bar on how we view ourselves, to narrow the gap between seen and unseen realms of our existence.”
Menswear designer Lulama Makha, 48, from eMaXesibeni’s Lugelweni township, said: “I was inspired by my mother who was a dressmaker. She made beautiful hats and jerseys for women.
“My work is influenced by the home of craft, the Eastern Cape — the mountains, rivers, birds and animals, old cars and old buildings, of nature.
“My bomber jacket is made of denim and twill printed with a touch of bull denim and camouflage.
“I made the jacket for bike riders, so it’s very warm. It also has an attachable hood, you can put it on a side arm pouch with one hand.
“Knowing my work is on par with other designers makes me feel a mix of pride, validation, and motivation.
“It signifies that my creative vision is recognised and respected within the industry, encouraging me to continue pushing my boundaries and developing my skills further.”
Daily Dispatch