World’s top artists hit FNB Joburg Art Fair

09 September 2016

 

The ninth edition of the annual FNB Joburg Art Fair is on.   Last night, Thursday September 9, Professor Neelika Jaywardane, an academic, arts writer and editor of the United States-based online magazine Africa is a Country, took a contingent of local and international journalists on a walkabout at the Sandton Convention Centre to have a glimpse of 89 exhibitions under six categories –contemporary and modern art, special projects, gallery solo projects, limited editions and art platforms – on display.

 

The fair, which is supported by the City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Department of Arts and Culture, features works from galleries and organisations in 17 African and European countries, as well as the US.  This year’s focus is on East Africa, a dynamic hub of art on the continent, and features a selection of leading artists and art works from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia Sudan and, of course, South Africa.

 

Featured works include those of South African artists such as the late George Pemba, David Goldblatt, Sam Nhlengethwa, Gerard Sekoto, Jabulani Dlamini, Toriya Magadlela and many others.  Professor Jaywardane said, valued at more than $10-billion, art was a growing industry globally. She added that it was high time that African artists accessed “that big cake”.

 

Other featured works include Witness by Victor Enikhamenor of Benin, which captures stories of his generation in his home country; Sleeping Serpent by Wangechi Mutu of Kenya, which is made of mixed media fabric and ceramic; Romance Is Dead, Morning Bride and The World Is 9 by Aida Wuluneh of Ethiopia, who specialises in art that highlights challenges faced by Ethiopian women; Helter Skelter by Paul Onditi of Kenya and the Future Memories series by Michael Tsegaye of Ethiopia.

Wuluneh, a photo-journalist and a Washington Post correspondent, said the objective of her exhibitions and art was to develop and nurture young talent.

 

“I like to engage and teach young women, in particular, because I believe that without the participation of women there is no future. I express my vision and surroundings in my art and all my work is done on site,” Wuluneh said.   The highlight of the fair will be the first-ever series of TEDX Johannesburg Salon talks, themed on the contemporary visual arts of Africa.

 

The programme is presented by Ogogiji, the bi-quarterly magazine known for its cutting-edge perspectives on African design, culture, business and global affairs.

The fair ends on Sunday September 11.