A therapeutic experience for the art-loving soul

Madam – Art and craft expo: a therapeutic experience.

Attending the art and craft expo at the Farmers Hall on Saturday, 16 August 2014 was an eye opener for me. On entering the hall, I knew it was going to be a day to remember. With over 60 tables on display and more than 700 visitors expected to go through the hall, it was not going to be a disappointing day.

The expo featured craftsmen and women, weavers, budding and well established artists. Most of the artists were locals with a few who were from outside Newcastle.

Though there were well established artists, the event also attracted a lot of budding artists who were exhibiting their work for the first time. One such budding artist who impressed me was Rasta Siyabonga. His craft is so unique in that he uses horns to make his art. I did not know that cow horns or any horn for that matter could be turned into such a beautiful piece of art.

But for me, Landi Van Der Merwe’s work which was well displayed at the entrance to the craft hall left me short for words to describe how I felt. Not only visitors like me were impressed with her work, but other artists at the expo would from time to time leave their tables for hers. All her pieces were excellent, but one of them stole my heart. It was a painting of a little girl who seemed to be having tree branches hanging around her head.

On trying to make sense of that work of art, Landi explained: “This work was inspired by a story of a girl who grew up in the bush on her own.”

Almost hidden in the corner you were taken down the memory lane by two exhibitors who were showcasing their cultures. Sitting next to each other were tables belonging

to Strelitzia Women’s Institute and Mrs Hadebe. The Strelitzia Women’s Institute was showcasing Afrikaans foods and some of the household goods the Voortrekkers used on their journey into the interior. Mrs Hadebe was displaying some Zulu traditional foods and household goods like isiqabetho and ivovo.

I may have not bought everything I fell in love with at this expo, but I sincerely enjoyed the therapeutic experience that these artists offered to me.

Sipho Sithole, Alberton