Stainbank gallery opens to plaudits
Mary Stainbank Memorial Gallery officially opened its doors with over 150 guests present on Tuesday, 27 November.
Wilderness Leadership School’s resource development director and organiser of the event, Cherryl Curry said: “The opening was a resounding success. We have received positive feedback from the guests who attended. It is important that the body of work by Mary Stainbank be made available for public viewing and in particular, the pupils who study her as part of their art curriculum.
The gallery will form the focus of the newly developing Ndaba Nkulu Heritage Hub, incorporating the Wilderness Leadership School and its community youth development programmes, Coedmore Castle and Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve.”
Andries Botha, who worked with Mary, spoke on the conversation between cultures which is embodied in the her work. He described the conversation as one which proposed a new South Africa, of who we could be as nation, embodied in a strange and overwhelming manner. He added she portrays the same values that Nelson Mandela saw, “an idea that SA was an unimaginably unique and place, and her work shows a possible conversation which can lead to new levels of possibility.”
KZN MEC for health Dr Sibongiseni Dlomo speech in his said he was delighted to be involved in the project and thanked the Wilderness Leadership School for its input in making the project a success. The artist’s workshop, which formed part of the restoration project, will also be used for local artists to work and display their art and provide a venue for artists in residence.
To book a tour, contact Cherrly on 031-462-8642.
– mbalim@dbn.caxton.co.za
