Over the past month, emerging Free State artists have had the unique opportunity to take part in a series of workshops that promised to reshape their creative thinking.
Led by the New Breed Art Competition and curated by the Free State Art Collective (FSAC) in partnership with ABSA Bank, these workshops have placed a strong emphasis on mentorship and education.
A beacon of mentorship
Mentorship is a powerful motivation for growth, and the first workshop in this series honed in on this vital aspect. This session was a testament to the proverb, "A rising tide lifts all boats."
Renowned artist Lawrence Lemaoana took the lead, guiding participants through a transformative journey of artistic development. Attendees experienced firsthand the impact of constructive feedback and critique, refining their work while receiving validation from an established artist.
Participants also had the immense privilege of meeting the renowned artist Mary Sibande, Lawrence's talented wife.
The room was buzzing with questions and creative energy as these incredible artists shared their insights, experiences, and unique perspectives.
One emerging artist shared, "This workshop helped me to realise that I have to think further than the basics of the obvious, take what is right in front of me and think beyond that.”
Another artist mentioned that Lawrence is a walking, talking Google, able to give great insights on things she hasn’t even thought of.
Bridging the educational gap
Bloemfontein, while rich in culture, often lacks opportunities available to artists in larger cities. Recognising this, these workshops were designed to bridge this mentorship gap.
Workshop 2, a deep dive into Video Art, was a day of revelation led by experts Louis Kruger and Evert Kleynhans. Attendees delved into video apps, aperture, ISO, storyboards, and even the world of Artificial Intelligence. These new horizons opened up endless possibilities, challenging artists to think beyond traditional boundaries.
Diversity of expression
Workshop 3 focused on the art of Photography, a captivating medium that allows artists to tell stories through imagery. Led by Neo Theku and Bongani Tshabalala, artists explored composition, lighting, perspective, and the narrative potential of their photographs.
Neo Theku, the winner of the 2019 New Breed Art competition, who focuses on photography and video, contemplates the impact of conflicting societal influences on black male identity through his art. Bongani Tshabalala, a self-taught photographer and Public Choice award-winner for 2019, uses his contemporary style to narrate the stories of African people, lending unique perspectives to the workshop.
Bongani Tshabalala noted, "Photography is a language. It's a way to convey emotions, stories, and perspectives that words sometimes can't."
The art of feedback
The final workshop, Workshop 4, was an enlightening Video Art feedback session facilitated by Johandi du Plessis, a very talented artist, researcher, and Fine Arts lecturer at the University of the Free State.
Johandi’s post workshop feedback mentioned that, “It was refreshing to see all the different ideas, concepts and videos that participants have come up with. I can already see that participants take it seriously; they take their art seriously. These workshops are a space for emerging artists to already see themselves in this world. I think this is very valuable. It is interesting to see how these artists, who have never made Video Art before, have learned from the previous workshop to this workshop and created Video Art.”
Free State Art Collective
These workshops were conceptualised in collaboration with Karen Brusch, founder of the Free State Art Collective.
The Free State Art Collective’s main purpose is to develop and support the careers of all the artists who belong as members and to raise awareness of talent in the Free State, thereby developing a more visible national presence.
Karen Brusch, from the FSAC, emphasised the significance of these workshops. "I so often meet artists in the Free State who share the fact that there are never enough opportunities offered in the province for them to grow. According to a recent visit to Bloemfontein by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the Free State only contributes 0.4% to the national GDP for the Arts Sector. These workshops contributed a small part to this gross imbalance; and will hopefully inspire others to come forward and offer more opportunities for learning. I am immensely proud of all the facilitators who were invited to be part of the 2023 New Breed Art Workshop series and who presented exceptionally professional knowledge sharing. And also, of the artists who partook; and left the building reignited in their creative passions and journeys.”
In the words of one attendee, "The New Breed Art workshops have been an amazing learning experience. They've opened doors I never knew existed, and I'm leaving them with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility."
As the sun sets on this inspirational and innovative series of workshops, the legacy of mentorship, education, and artistic growth continues to shine brightly. The New Breed Art Competition and ABSA Bank have not just nurtured talent but ignited a creative spark that promises to illuminate the city's art scene.
* New Breed Art is a proud initiative of PH Attorneys.