Curator calls for ways to create income through art
Judy explains how one member, Cynthia Msibi has gone through personal hell, including losing her hearing and the ability to walk, yet produces artwork of international acclaim and has exhibited pieces countrywide.
A group of women are using cotton and fabric to weave their stories.
During her time as curator of Carnegie Art Gallery, Judy Jordan launched Isiphethu (spring/ fountain) in 1999, a project which brought together women from oSizweni and Madadeni with an idea to help them generate an income through embroidery.
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In this way, their creativity is also their prosperity. While many of the Isiphethu women have sadly passed away over the past 19 years, Judy says the few who remain continue to use art as a way to escape the hardship of their lives, each with a story of tribulation to tell.
Judy explains how one member, Cynthia Msibi has gone through personal hell, including losing her hearing and the ability to walk, yet produces artwork of international acclaim and has exhibited pieces countrywide.
“It’s amazing that with her life, she can create such vivid stories on love, lobola and initiations.”
Something else Judy has seen through the decades with Isiphethu, besides the hardiness of spirit, is the limited number of outlets local artists have to sell their works.
She hopes however the situation will soon change for the better.
Judy said the ideal solution would be to have a business space or shop front where artists from the Newcastle area can display their work.
“It is important to have more art shows but permanent collections are at risk of being damaged.”
Judy also believes the many charitable organisations and schools could host exhibitions, thus encouraging the trend of supporting local artists by buying their works.
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Visitors to these events often want to purchase the artworks on display.
In conclusion, Judy said the work and talent of Newcastle artists was indeed comparable to so-called art hubs like Clarens and Nieu Bethesda.
“The ideal would be to host a high-class event and invite art lovers to browse the works.”
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