Eisteddfod exhibition promises exceptional artwork

The closing date for entries in the fine art division of the Limpopo Eisteddfod, of which Polokwane Observer is a sponsor, closed on Monday and judging of all sketches, photographs and paintings is expected to take place today (Thursday).
All entries will be exhibited at Mall of the North from 21 to 23 July. Modern art and sculptures must be delivered to Edgars Court at Mall of the North from 07:00 to 09:00 on 21 July. Judging will take place from 09:00 and 11:00 where after the mall will be turned into a gallery bar none. Each entry’s results will also be shown with the artwork.
This year’s judging panel comprises Amos Letsoalo, Curator of the Polokwane Art Museum, Mari Delport, Marketing Manager at Mall of the North, Tabitha Lekganyane, Public Relations and Promotions Manager at Mall of the North, Elna Esterhuysen, Human Resources Manager at Polokwane Observer and local artist, and Thabonyana Letwaba, local artist and poet.
Letsoalo studied Fine Arts at the pretigious Johannesburg Art Foundation and obtained a degree in Art Management at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits). His work has been shown extensively nationally and internationally and is represented in public art collections nationally and internationally.
Delport is a born artist and well known in Polokwane’s art circles. She holds a diploma in graphic design from the Tshwane University of Technology. Several graphic design positions at well-known and reputable firms followed from where she started wading into the marketing field. Artistic by nature, she misses working on art projects, but still appreciates art and is looking forward to the Limpopo Eisteddfod Art Exhibition.
Esterhuysen is an art student at Deodando Art School in the city and her work at Polokwane Observer had fine-tuned her photographic skills and ability to appreciate and assess photographic entries. She says that art, especially painting, is an expression of her creativity and offers her an escape through which she is able to create her own world filled with beauty.
Letwaba describes himself as a writer, poet and artist “who is able to transcend physical illusions and harvest mysteries from limitless experiences and memories from supernatural realms of existence.” Officially a Psychology student at Unisa, he is also a drama coach and art lover.
Lekganyane was not available for comment at the time of going to print.
Limpopo Eisteddfod art coordinator, Gerhard Franken, says he is very excited about the number of entries and the high standard of the artworks that he received. “The people of Limpopo are extremely talented and it is a great honour to be able to introduce that talent to the public thanks to the generosity of Mall of the North,” he said.

Story: MARKI FRANKEN
>>marki.observer@gmail.com