THE African Art Centre prides itself on its contribution to art education in communities where artists don’t have the means to develop their skills.
The Velobala Group is an initiative by the centre that offers visual art instruction and fine art education to young black artists located away from the traditional urban clusters of arts infra-structure. And the work on display at the gallery in the exhibition, Memories, Dreams, Reflections on the Landscape. The artists include Buhle Wonder Mbambo, Sthenjwa Luthuli, Jabulani Cele, Zakhele Hlabisa, SphepheloMnguni, Sfiso Mkame, Victor Shange, Xolile Mazibuko, Mthombisi Maphumulo, NontombieleJilajila and Khayelihle Mchunu.
Tonight chatted to Mbambo about his work: “My work at the African Art Centre is a reflection of the exhibition that looks at dreams and the landscape within the South African context. In a way my work was more into interrogating the theme as well as to highlight some social realities, looking at the landscape within my community from the artist’s perspective. The mediums I use are charcoal and soft pastel on fabriano paper and it allows me to create great effects on the surface.”
Mbambo says his inspiration comes from his surroundings: “It’s from things that I see, hear and feel. It just depends on what strikes me at that time, but I have a great interest in South African history and the way it has been changing as well as the Diaspora. My work can be seen as a window to look at the past and future within the South African landscape. I am interested in the narrative that unpacks the taboos, vestiges of social cohesion in our communities that were moulded in the past politically and socially, which are often overlooked while we continue to shape our contemporary society. The work gives a depth on the apocryphal of life investigating the misconceptions which were orchestrated in the past for political gains and how people have been managing to live in hope for a better tomorrow. I am interested in finding beauty in the struggle.”
What can art lovers expect from his work? “People can expect to be challenged by the big landscapes which depict the dumping site as a metaphor for old memories, ignorance and how South Africans have been managing to live.”
• At the African Art Centre until August 22. Call 031312 3804