Big business shows its support for the visual arts
by Kim Gurney
Heartfelt encouragement from the arts community has shifted corporate giant Old Mutual towards a more arts-friendly approach following the launch last week of its new Business School art collection. The move coincided with Sanlam's showcase of acquisitions during 2003 in a double-barrelled boost for the arts community.
Nicky Bicket, general manager of human resources at Old Mutual Asset Managers, acknowledged the organization did not have an arts policy as such and initially the event was considered only as a once-off. But after feedback at its opening "from people passionate about art", Bicket said the group would make a much more concerted effort to support the arts on a more ongoing basis. He told ArtThrob: "We need to support this in the wider community so hopefully it will be the start of an ongoing commitment."
Bicket said the art works were bought initially as a decorative element to line the walls of the new business school and to give a more creative expression to its objectives of growth, learning and innovation. "Art does all that - especially the young and budding artists," he added. But post opening night, Old Mutual is reconsidering: "We are Proudly South African sponsors so we should be investing in the future art and culture development in the country."
Bicket said the effect of the works had been to engage people to look and think differently. Stanley Cohen, co-curator of the show, said this was precisely the idea. The 14 works he helped select with Van Zyl le Grange all have the human figure as a reference point and challenge the viewer to understand and interpret the works.
Cohen says: "Rather than just decorate, the idea was to make the works a learning experience too... It is called Divergent Visions to reflect the different media and stylistic approaches and responses to issues the artists are working with. It's a mixed bag that hangs together strongly in thematic and educational approach - the only collection in Cape Town that has an educational option."
He added: "The artists and dealers we spoke to were very excited by this notion of an educational exhibition. The display is already being used as a kind of ice breaker starting point for training courses."
Emma Bedford, head of art collections at SANG, opened the Old Mutual collection by lamenting the fact that few South Africans appreciated the value and quality of art in this country. She said: "South African art is a good investment. Contrary to some sceptics, our art and artists were not just the flavour of the month or year but international interest in local art has maintained a steady growth rate."
Bedford congratulated Old Mutual Business School for its vision and hoped the investment would set a trend. "I sincerely hope that this will encourage other corporations and individuals to follow their example and invest in the wealth of South African arts and culture."
Although few South African corporations invest in the arts, Sanlam continued to buck this trend. Last week, it opened to the public a showcase of selected art works acquired for its permanent collection during 2003. It features works by Willem Boshoff, Diane Victor, Durant Sihlali, Ezrom Legae and Allan Alborough, among others. See Gallery Choice.
