The News

Launch of Website

Our new website is ready for your perusal. Please feel free to browse and we welcome your comments.

Broken art at Greatmore Studios

On the 8^th of December Greatmore Studios was broken into. The burglars destroyed months of work and stole vital equipment as well as irreplaceable artworks.

Thursday the 3rd of December saw the long-awaited opening of African Time at Greatmore, an exciting exhibition exploring the nature of time through paintings, photographs and video installations.

The following Tuesday, thieves broke in through the roof of the exhibition gallery and made off with two monitors, three computers, three DVD players and two projectors as well as the original film and sound artworks.

Curator Yvette Dunn was devastated to have all of her hard work, as well as that of the participating artists, destroyed. Because of the break in and the ongoing investigation, the exhibition had to be closed.

Kate Tarratt Cross, director of Greatmore Studios added: ‘We’re all really upset. Everybody pitched in and helped to make this exhibition a reality. The resident artists allowed us to take the computers from their resource centre for this exhibition and some of the projectors were loaned by other galleries who support our work.’
 

African time_ on time – An exhibition by Yvette Dunn

3rd Dec - 8th Dec

Train delayed. Meeting starts an hour late. Electrician tells you your phone will be fixed ‘now now’. People nod their heads sagely and say ‘that’s African Time’.

There is a perception that Africans have a loose relationship with time. So much so that ‘African Time’ has become a synonym for being late. But is there more to it than that? What if it is Western concepts of timekeeping and timetables that hinder, while African Time frees us from constraints?

In the first resident curatorship at Greatmore Studios, curator Yvette Dunn brought together a dynamic collective of artists to unpick the concept of African Time. What emerged from the exchange is the sense that African Time is the time in between: in between and outside clocks, diaries, calendars, alarms, schedules and the other ways we measure out our days. 

John Lennon said ‘life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans’. African Time represents the space created for the really important things in life - the life that happens to you regardless of the day- to-day routine.

The 13 artists participating in African Time played with elements such as ‘Stop’, ‘Rewind’ and ‘Fast-forward’ to challenge visitors to the exhibition to step outside the boundaries of linear timekeeping and observe for themselves what happens when they become immersed in African Time.

Exchange between artists was an integral part of the exhibition. South African artists were joined by artists from Scotland, Portugal, Mexico and Germany; each exploring different interpretations of time. Though each artist had a different perspective, the works were united by their willingness to explore the free space – both physical and metaphorical - created by African Time.

Greatmore Studios has established the programme of resident curatorships to maximise the potential of its new exhibition space – but more, to build on its unique role as a conduit between different sections of the Capetonian art world. The ongoing exhibitions programme will challenge and experiment, with thought-provoking curated exhibitions acting as the starting point for dialogue.

From top:

Mamela Nyamza, Noncedo Mathibela

Greatmore’s first resident curator, Yvette Dunn, talks about her three months at the studios with Eithne Owens

Why did you want to come to do a curator residency at Greatmore?

I’ve known about Greatmore since 2005 when I took part in a Thupelo workshop. I’ve always found Greatmore is a great space to be at. It’s a home to creatives where they can come together and share their skills.   Everybody is on the same mission. What they’re doing at Greatmore is amazing – everybody works really hard to give opportunities to artists and curators. Previously I only curated solo exhibitions and this was an opportunity to do a group exhibition. I applied for the residency with the idea of doing an exhibition on African Time because I had previously thought of doing an exhibition on time and how we interpret it as artists. As artists we live outside of time and in time: we don’t work regular hours and we don’t fit into the normal 9 to 5!

Tell me about your time at Greatmore –  what were the highs and lows?

The lowest low was on Tuesday morning when I walked in and found the gallery broken into and the equipment stolen – which promptly closed African Time. Right on time with Africa! The highest high was that I got to have great conversations and brainstorm with different artists around the concept and around their work. And I met really amazing people, beautiful people. And I felt that the interactions educated me and broadened my curatorial skills and also my skill of interacting with artists. I practised lots of patience, which was good for me! Each artist I had to treat like an artwork. That was where the artworks came from … I inspired the artists and they responded to the concept. A lot of works were started from the beginning and there was a stage when I thought I wouldn’t have any artwork for the exhibition. But I was told to have patience and wait. And that’s what I did. When the show opened I was exhausted but very happy that everything came together. All the to-dos got done! But I always feel a little lost when everything is done and I don’t have anything to worry about any more.

What will you take away with you from the experience?

I’ll take away some practical lessons. Try not to work with so many artists in future and give more time to plan a group exhibition. You can’t rush creativity … everybody is different. Some artists I won and some I lost … some came through and some didn’t – because of not enough time, or not enough money. There could have been more work. But time was not on our side [laughs]. This exhibition was very ironic indeed! 

Trilingual

An Exhibition of Visiting Artists

Thursday 19^th - Thursday 24^th of November 2009

TriLingual was an exhilarating exhibition which brought together three artists who participated in Greatmore’s three-month visiting artists’ programme from September to November. The artists have all reflected on the unique opportunity Greatmore offers for exchanging ideas and experiences. The artists were:

Ana Teresa Fernandez, from Mexico/San Francisco. Ana’s work documents performance through painting. She also created a site-specific installation based on her Cape Town experience. Ana is inspired by the vibrancy and energy of Greatmore – and the beauty of Cape Town.

Linda Shongwe from South Africa. Linda is an artist who works across many media – particularly paint and music. He describes his work at Greatmore as two parallels: one building on his existing knowledge, the other experimental. For Linda, Greatmore is somewhere that “brings you to a common place. As artists we are all equal.’’

Portia Zvavahera from Zimbabwe. Portia created a series of paintings and prints based on her own life experience as well as the dreams she’s been having during her residency. Portia speaks of the challenges and the huge benefits of sharing a space with other artists who provide ideas and feedback.

The exhibition opened on 19^th November at 17h30 and closed on 24th November.

From Top: Ana Fernandez, Portia Zvavahera

Haitian Artist, Maksaens Denis, does a 6 week residency

Greatmore Studios was able to invite Maksaens Denis to participate in the Visiting Artist Residency with funding from Culturesfrance, The Haitian Ministry of Culture and FOKAL.

Maksaens Denis is an artist from Haiti who heard about the programme in 2008 by French artist, Fred Koenig. Maksaens is  one of Haiti’s top contemporary artists who works with video art and installation. He has exhibited and completed residencies in France, Sweden, Italy, Mexico, United States, Brazil, Canada, Sudan, Dominican Republic, and Haiti. His most recent residency was in Senegal. Maksaens’ work featured in the 2006 Venice Bienale.

During his residency, Maksaens worked alongside 3 other artists from Mexico/San Francisco, Zimbabwe and Nelspruit. For his outreach project he worked with Beth Uriel, a home for disadvantaged young men.

The exhibition, Gcamagwini was from the 1^st – 7^th of October. It was visually and conceptually a very successful show. Viewers enjoyed seeing such an unusual artwork in a Cape Town.

Maksaens describes his residency as an ‘enriching and unique’ experience. He was very happy to arrive in Cape Town and mix with cultures as diverse as Zulu, Xhosa, German, British and Malaysian. He also met a large number of Africans from Zimbabwe, Congo and Malawi. ‘At the beginning I was distracted by this big cultural melting pot but now, I like it...’

Maksaens was here from the 25th August until the 9th October 2009.

Prints from Zimbabwe by Triangle Friends

Greatmore Art Studios, in association with Dzimbanhete Arts Interactions, launched an exhibition of thought-provoking prints by Zimbabwean artists. 

The exhibition, reflecting Greatmore’s atmosphere of cooperation, interaction and cultural exchange, created connections between 12 artists currently working in Zimbabwe and the arts community in Cape Town.  

The exhibition was developed through Greatmore’s association with the Triangle Arts Trust, a United Kingdom based organisation that initiates and facilitates an international network of artist-led workshops and residencies. 

The 12 artists featured were:

Jonadi Marembe, James Jali, Chikonzero Chazunguza, Gareth Nyandoro, Munyaradzi Mazarire, Togara Nyakapanga, Doris Kampira, Prosper Mutukura, Portia Zvavahera, Fungai Mwale, Semina Mpofu, Virginia Chihota

All of the artworks were for sale.

The exhibition opened on 29 October at 17h30 and closed on the 13 November.

Byzantine Icon Painting workshop by Nadezhda Savova

Greatmore Studios held a successful 7th C Byzantine Icon Painting Workshop on the 13th-15th October 2009, hosted by Bulgarian Cultural Anthropologist and Artist Nadezhda Savova.

Participants learned about the history and symbology of byzantine iconography while painting their own icon on wood using gold leaf and acrylic paints.

The workshop included a guided visit to the Greek Orthodox Church in Woodstock.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Alex and Jaco’s contribution

Thank you to Alex and Jaco who volunteered their time and skills to creating a tiled wall acknowledging supporters of Greatmore.

Eithne Owens as volunteer

Greatmore has been very lucky with its volunteers this year. Eithne Owens from Ireland has been helping at Greatmore for the past 2.5 months. Eithne, who previously worked in museum design in London, wrote to Greatmore explaining that she wanted to volunteer with an arts NGO in South Africa.  She says: Having spent the last six years planning exhibitions from a design studio, I wanted to get back to doing something more hands-on.  In the time I've been here, I've helped put together three exhibitions, run a workshop on storytelling, wrestled with Greatmore's website and met some amazing people.  It's definitely been very hands on!  Greatmore is a very special place.

Kaffeeklatsch

Greatmore has introduced an informal gathering, usually scheduled the day after an opening. The purpose is for artists to be presented with or to present to a small audience. So far we have seen presentations about networks, other projects in Africa and beyond, artists who have gone on residencies world wide and the launch of ideas and concepts. This is a very useful way to learn about other projects happening and to meet people who have done some really innovative things.

Announcements

Jill’s classes continue

After a successful year of regular classes. Jill Trappler has confirmed that she will be continuing her classes next year. Classes will resume in February. Please contact Jill for more details on:  082 558 8115  082 558 8115 .

Roxy’s classes continue

Roxy has not confirmed start dates for her class next year. For more information please contact Roxy directly on:  082 567 1211  082 567 1211 .

 
Call out for artists to participate in a public art project

Please call  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details: 021 447 9699

Call out for artists to participate in a THUPELO Workshop

Call This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details: 021 447 9699

Thank you for all the support we have received this year.

Special thanks to:

The National Arts Council

Triangle Trust Network and Ford Foundation,

Pro Helvetia and The Swiss Agency for Development

Hivos and Arts Collab

Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport

Africalia and VANSA

Evelyn and Willie Bester

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Greatmore welcomes Yvette Dunn as our 1st Resident Curator.

Yvette will be working at the studios for the next 3 months preparing a curated exhibition to be held in Greatmore's Gallery Space in December. The programme has been made possible by Pro Helvetia and the Swiss Agency for Developement and Cooperation. 

There is currently a call out for submissions to participate in the exhibition, titled:

X_ HIBITING_ Time_ African time on time

This exhibition will be staged in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Polokwane simultaneously via Skype (visual/ live feed).
So that in Cape Town one will be able to view the exhibitions taking place in Jozi, Durban and Polokwane and vice versa for all the cities.

To portray this TIME traveling exchange – in our own TIME_ African TIME. This exhibition will create a narrative of TIME that will STOP, REWIND, FAST FORWARD -  and dilute in the reinvention of the concept of TIME by the artists in the different cities.

Xhibiting_ Time_ what is the meaning of African time? Often meaning = been late or is it on time.

Where: _ in die Kaap_ Durbs_ Jozi_Polokwane
 
Who: _ artists_ from 3 cities (die Kaap_ Durbs_ Jozi_Polokwane )

When: _ 1st week_ December _2009 (2 weeks)

How: _ multi-media_ installation_ tv art (videos_ ) performance

Deadline: _ 19th October 2009

Contact: _  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Be a friend and join the Facebook group African Time

Call out to all ARTISTS and CULTURAL ACTIVISTS who would like to participate or assist.

Please email the curator (Yvette Dunn) at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Greatmore hosts an exhibition of works from the Valkenberg Occupational Therapy department

Greatmore hosts an exhibition of works from the Valkenberg Occupational Therapy department.

On Saturday the 8th August, Greatmore Studios opened an exhibition of works by the Occupational Therapy Department of Valkenberg Hospital. The exhibition was facilitated by Anthony Cawood. Anthony has been working with the hospitals Occupational Department as an art coach for five years. He was approached by the Department while he was a resident artist at Greatmore Studios.

The group of Occupational Therapists promote their client’s engagement in meaningful activities and their journey to empowerment. Anthony said that ‘We, together with our clients, are proud to have exhibited with Greatmore.’

The idea behind the exhibition is to showcase the visual expressions of the clients who have chosen art and its powerful influence in promoting positive mental health and well-being. The broader public is offered a chance to see what the Occupational Therapy Department is doing and it is hoped that any preconceptions will be challenged. From the response of the spectators and visitors it seems the objectives were achieved by the appreciation shown for the works.

The exhibition will remain up until 20th August. There will be a final chance to join a walk about given by Anita on Tuesday 18th at 10am.

We look forward to seeing you then.

Visiting Artists Exhibition – Douala: Durban, Harare via Cape Town

The Visiting Artists Exhibition opened on the 21st July to a warm and receptive crowd on a chilly Tuesday night.

The exhibition was the result of a three month Visiting Artist Programme by three mid-career artists, all from the African continent. This exhibition reflected what Greatmore studios has to offer in terms of cultural exchange, enabling artists to follow new directions and push themselves beyond the boundaries of their own practice.

Mukudzeishe Muzondo (Zimbabwe) normally resides and works in Harare where he has a studio space at the polytechnic. His work is inspired by man and his psychological being towards society. Sibusiso Duma's (Durban) work reflects his perspectives on Umlazi Township, where he grew up and lives. Joel Mpah Dooh (Cameroon), has gained much attention with his ‘mobile’ like wire sculptures and drawings on metal sheets. Through his medium he explores the fragility of individual human identity and how it reinvents itself while moving and evolving in the city.

Mukudzeishe Muzondo said that he found the opening really successful especially since two of his works were snatched up by an enthusiastic buyer. Sibusiso Duma's work was also very popular and several of his pieces were sold as well. Joel went on to do an exhibition at the Joao Ferrera Gallery where he sold more that half the show.

Clearly the fruits of the artists' labour for the last 3 months were rewarded by the popular response from the public.

Greatmore enjoyed the energy these artists brought to the studios and wishes them well with their new ventures.

Mentoring Month August Focuses on Fine Art

The new mentoring month started on the 3rd of August and this month will focus on fine art. Having arrived in high spirits on a cold and wet Friday, three young artists from diverse backgrounds opened themselves up to a host to of new experiences. The mentees will work together and lead their own destiny with the assistance of a variety of mentors. Aside from techniques, the mentees will learn to contextualise their work and gain some insight into the art industry and the complexities of producing art. They will also have the opportunity to get training in marketing and business methods – all of which go hand in hand with a professional career in art. The programme will end with an exhibition showcasing their work produced during this period.

The mentoring progamme has been made possible by Pro Helvetia. Pro Helvetia and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) encourages cultural interaction between Southern African countries

The mentees come from Cape Town, Wellington and Johannesburg. They are Henrico van Heide, Khaya Sineyill, Kilford Telcie Cement, Tess Metcalf, Sam Macholo

The mentees were interviewed by Mishkaah Roberts:

How are you finding your experience?   -Tess Metcal age

It is very exciting and liberating to have my own space to work in for the very first time. I have also enjoyed meeting and working with other artists and am finding their presence encouraging. I am hoping to learn more from my interactions with the other more well known artists and gallery owners which we will be meeting with.

What activities are you most looking forward to?  -Henrico Van Heide

I am most looking forward to the exhibition we will be having at the end of this month as well as the visits to the galleries.

Do you feel sharing the studio space builds on your artistic energy?   -Sam Macholo

I think sharing a studio with other artists is very inspiring. Depending on what kind of characters are you dealing with as an individual. I would say if working on different forms or art then it makes it a lot better because you tend to use or experiment with other artists mediums.

The works will be exhibited in Greatmore’s Gallery space from the 27th – 31st of August Join us for the opening at 5.30 – 8.30 on Thursday the 27th August  2009.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Greatmore welcomes a new resident artist – Khaya Sineyile

On behalf of the staff and resident artists at Greatmore we would like to welcome Khaya as our new resident artist. Khaya has moved into what use to be the old print studio and will be  producing ceramics using his own kiln.

Donations

Thank you to Gail Moffet at Truworths and Ethan Corolsion.
As part of Greatmores T-shirt and apparel project where Greatmore hopes to create a small revenue stream by selling quality T Shirts, Greatmore contacted Truworths to see if they could donate a Mannequin as part of our display plans. Truworths very kindly donated 17 mannequins.
The mannequins will be used to raise funds for Greatmore through an exciting project soon to be announced. Thank you to Gail Moffet for making this possible.
Greatmore would also like to thank Ethan Corolasion for organizing the donation and delivery of a computer and 20” monitor for display in Greatmores reception area. Now visitors will be able to scroll through artworks of the artists involved in Greatmore as well as add their details directly to our online mailing list.

Curators Residency Programme begins in September

Greatmore is delighted that Yvette Dunn has agreed to be our Curator in Residence for September – December 2009. Yvette was selected from many applicants by the committee to take part in the new programme. She will work at the studios researching and planning an exhibition which is scheduled to open at the beginning of December to in Greatmore’s Gallery Space. Updates will be posted on our website.

Announcements

Call out for a Product Photography Course

The School of Photography would like to start a course on how to shoot products including artworks. For the programme to commence a minimum of 6 and maximum 10 people must sign up. The course will be over one day and will last approximately four hours. The cost is R600-00.
Anyone interested should forward their details to either
Gary at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Contributors: Kate Tarratt Cross, Gary Frier, Mishkaah Roberts and Andrew Salomon.