Thokoza NPO to host fundraiser to keep township art alive
“I get so hurt and broken seeing that we have so many creatives and our government does not recognise creatives. We have a department that is meant to take care of artists but how they are not doing anything for us.”
The new kids on the block, Paradise Gallery Market (PGM), an NPO from Thokoza is inviting Kathorus residents to support the gallery market fundraiser event at Thokoza auditorium on November 5.
The event intends to support destitute local artists from various artistic backgrounds including visual artists, film and television, fashion designers, DJs, musicians and performing artists.
PGM is a registered multimedia art. It was initiated by Hlengiwe Gugu Khumalo (31) in 2021 and registered in February 2022.
It is led by an executive board, which includes the founder and chairperson Khumalo, administrator Nompumelelo Fortunia Msomi, artist and art director Banele Thando Kumalo and chartered accountant and financial advisor Mosa Charles Jacobs.
Khumalo said she was inspired by her sister Banele, a visual artist, to start the NPO when she realised how artists struggle with gatekeeping and red tape in the industry.
She said visual artists are expected to pay for space to showcase their work and pay a percentage of what they make in commission.
“I empathise with artists because if you do not have money and the right connections to secure a gallery it means you cannot showcase. There are a lot of artists in the township and, sadly, they have to leave their township to go to town to hustle and find people that understand art,” said Khumalo.
“I also feel artists are exploited. They do most of the work but are paid very little. Why can’t we give artists a platform to expose their art for free?”
The NPO’s mission is to host seasonal gallery markets to give the community of Ekurhuleni an aesthetic eye view of art and to break the stigma around art and what it is about.
Khumalo said they want to raise awareness for people to understand more about art and to support local artists.
“And to close a gap between the artists, the government, private and public sectors – for them to attract investors, sponsors for artists and help artists get clients to enable them to continue producing more work,” she added.
Speaking to artists like Xolile Miya an actress and junior film director who is also a graduate in logistics said it is very exciting and replenishing to have events and to see that there are people who want to keep art alive.
“I get so hurt and broken seeing that we have so many creatives and our government does not recognise creatives. We have a department that is meant to take care of artists but how they are not doing anything for us,” said Miya.
Visual artist Banele Kumalo graduated from the Tshwane University of Technology and does painting, sculpture and drawing.
She said as an artist it is difficult for her to put out work because she does not want to be signed by a gallery. She explained that when an artist is signed to a gallery they cannot distribute their work anywhere besides at the gallery.
“I want to share my work wherever I am offered a platform. I want my work to reach people and for it to be in people’s houses,” said Kumalo.
She shared some of the challenges she encounters which include materials, lack of support from the public and the structure which galleries operate under.
“When your product is sold, the gallery takes a percentage even though you have already paid for space and if you do not have a studio you have to pay to book it and the material you use.”
Hip-hop artist and beat maker Ben Taps and MidSummuer who is also a hip-hop artist, producer and self-taught audio engineer said the event will help a lot in terms of exposure and a platform to inspire young artists.
Details about the fundraiser event
Venue: Thokoza Auditorium
Date: November 5
Entrance: R 20
Time: 11:00 to 16:00
What to expect?
Khumalo said it is a friendly event with live entertainment. There will be jewellery sold, handmade by artists from Katlehong and Thokoza.
She further said artists are welcome to sell their products at the event.
The NPO needs support with equipment such as a big tent, umbrellas and gazebos, trailer toilet, generator, stalls or pallets for artists to create stalls, sound equipment including a DJ mixer and microphones, stage, security gate, security and 30 chairs for artists.
For more information, contact Khumalo at 066 203 9997 or email paradisegallerymarket@gmail.com.
