Archive: Issue No. 94, June 2005

3.06.05 'Simplicity Miss Petite Size 8M': Sue Pam Grant at the NSA
3.06.05 'Start': the Nivea Art Awards at the NSA
3.06.05 Clinton Friedman at artSpace
3.06.05 Gretha Quinlan at artSpace
3.06.05 'Innovative Threads' at artSpace

9.05.05 'Trespass' by Mondli Mdanda at artSpace
 

In a charity shop, actress Sue Pam-Grant came across some old dressmaking patterns from the 50s, and became intrigued with the sewing instructions printed in English, French and Spanish in blue ink on the caramel-coloured tissue paper. The text served as a kind of code, filled with mystique, understood only by those initiated into that world. 'I am obsessed with domestic detail', says Pam-Grant.

Where in her theatre career her materials were script, lighting and actors, Pam-Grant now used a digital camera to capture the minutiae of her life, pointing it at seemingly mundane objects: a rusted enamel bucket, a stained hand basin, washing on the line.

These images were printed onto small pieces of sewing pattern tissue, then layered over pattern pieces, wallpaper and fabrics, and re-photographed. These final images are enlarged and printed onto canvas. The result is a celebration of ordinary moments that, when strung together, make up a lifetime.

Opens: 6pm, Tuesday May 31
Closes: June 19

Twenty up-and-coming artists, identified through a KwaZulu-Natal talent search will showcase their commissioned two-dimensional works in a group exhibition. To enter, 200 artists submitted photographs of three to four of their existing works.

The finalists were then commissioned by the sponsors, Nivea, to make a unique two-dimensional artwork on the theme 'reflections of people sharing a special moment.' One hopes that with a brief like this the young artists were able to move beyond the sentimental, but you will have a chance to judge for yourself, and perhaps purchase a piece by an as yet undiscovered star when the show opens. The three top works and prizewinners will be announced at the opening, with awards of R20 000, R10 000 and R5 000 respectively.

The panel of judges includes artist and director of the Durban African Art Centre Anthea Martin; art advisor Julia Meintjes; artist/printmaker Gabisile Nkosi; curator and manager of the NSA Storm Janse van Rensburg and artist Sfiso Ka-Mkame.

The finalists are: Caroline Birch, Dineo Bopape, Moses Buthelezi, Welcome Danca, Clinton De Menezes, The Eshowe Corrective Service group entry, Zama Dunywa, Innocent Hlela, Scelo Hlongwa, Mandla Mkhwanazi, Thulani Mabaso, Thabani Msomi, Mzikayise Mathenjwa, Samuel Ntshangase, Cheryl Penn, Muziwenkosi Shandu, Sandile Selby Sibiya, Jane Todd, Zolisa Zozi and Siphiwe Zulu.

Opens: 6pm, Tuesday May 31
Closes: June 19

Durban commercial photographer Friedman 'likes to experiment within the photographic realm but with a twist'. For this exhibition entitled 'Bloom', Friedman has selected indigenous plant specimens and photographed them in colour in suspended white space. They are iconic, intriguing and graphic. More of his images can be viewed on www.fotografik.co.za

Opens: 8pm, June 10
Closes: June 18

After many years of work, 'Genesis - a journey towards Sacred Geometry' is Gretha Quinlan's first solo exhibition. Her paintings are described as 'moving from organic into more geometric shapes through a purely intuitive journey'.

Opens: June 7
Closes: June 18

This textile art exhibition which opened first in Cape Town, appears in Durban at artSpace before proceeding to France. This is not a run-of-the-mill exhibition of quilts, but an investigation by a number of artists into making innovative work with fabric and other materials.

In addition to the textile art exhibition, �Innovative Threads 2005� provides a platform for empowerment groups to exhibit and sell their products.

Opens: 6pm, June 19
Closes: July 2

The top sculpture student at the Durban Institute of Technology, Mondli Mdanda, will show sculptures and paintings at artSpace from mid May on a show entitled 'Trespass'.

Mdanda is fascinated by small, significant actions which take place in isolation. His work investigates social issues, class, identity, lost space and homelessness. His sculptures incorporate steel, wire, wood and found materials.

The artist was a finalist for the Emma Smith Overseas Scholarship last year and was also involved in 'Tangencya', a recent collaborative project in Durban. This exhibition has been sponsored by the National Arts Council.

Opens: 6.30pm, May 16
Closes: June 4