The Anglo-African Connection

• Schreiner Gallery
• Opens Thursday 08 December 18h00
• Closes Sunday 29 January 2012 17h00

This exhibition presents a collaboration between Chris Morewood, originally from England, and Hussein Salim, originally from Sudan. The artists will showcase their recent work. Morewood is a wood-turner and Salim a painter and draughtsman.

Morewood will produce different and interesting wooden lathe - turned articles, crafted from indigenous and exotic timbers. Salim will produce a body of work which will comprise artworks on canvas.

The collaborative part of the exhibition will see a presentation of a number of pieces designed and turned by Chris Morewood for subsequent decoration in acrylics and a variety of fine liner pens by Hussein Salim.

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The A.R.T. Show: reclaiming lives

• Main Exhibition Room
• Opens Thursday 01 December 18h00
• Closes Sunday 29 January 2012 17h00

The A.R.T. Show: reclaiming lives has been planned to open in the Tatham Art Gallery on World AIDS Day 2011. This exhibition is being organized by the Make Art/Stop AIDS programme and is curated by Carol Brown, independent curator from Durban, together with Professor David Gere from the Dept of World Arts and Cultures at the University of California.

This show has developed from the earlier South African exhibition, Not Alone, which was concerned with the transformative power of the arts to advance global health. This new exhibition takes its name from the fact that South Africa is now in the post-treatment phase of the epidemic, but there are still many challenges to be faced.

It features artists and collectives from throughout South Africa as well as other countries such as the U.S. and India. As it travels it will be augmented by contributions from other southern African nations such as Botswana, Malawi and Mozambique. The exhibition will be made up of three components:

1. The A.R.T. Cabinet. This has been designed by Durban artist Xavier Clarisse for the traveling exhibition and artists are being commissioned to create works especially for this cabinet.
2. Through Positive Eyes. Photography, directed by Gideon Mendel, by 17 HIV-Positive people documenting their own experiences.
3. Museum Works by Major Artists.

Curator Carol Brown can be contacted on cbrown.durban@gmail.com or 083 778 1192

Fabulous Picture Show 2011

The Friends of the Tatham Art Gallery (FOTAG) have decided to hold the popular Fabulous Picture Show again this year. This six-day-long exhibition in the Main Exhibition Room of the Tatham Art Gallery ends in an auction of small works donated by many artists. This is FOTAG's major fundraiser for the year and the money raised goes towards the acquisition of new artworks for the Tatham Art Gallery. 

An artwork donated by you will be much appreciated, and may be an inspiration to artists and buyers alike.

Guidelines:

• Your work needs to be A5 or smaller
• You may submit up to 3 works (Download entry form — 81 KB PDF)
• FOTAG  will have all the works professionally framed and hung

Submission dates:

• Saturday 27 August, or
• Saturday 1 October 2011, or
• you can post your work to the Gallery by 01 October.

Exhibition opening:

• Sunday 20th November 2011 at 10h30

Auction:

• Friday 25th November 2011 at 18h00

Enquiries:

Contact Michelle Rall at michelle@fotag.co.za or Tel. 033 346 0822 with queries about the Fabulous Picture Show.

Assemblage: Peter Rippon

• Schreiner Gallery
• Opens Thursday 06 October 18h00
• Closes Sunday 27 November 17h00

Peter Rippon's exhibition, Assemblage, brings together several of his unusual, meticulously rendered oil paintings. His curious still lifes explore the idea of collecting, preserving, and presenting objects. Some works appear scientific, or at least an attempt to emulate scientific processes, with specimens being collected and presented in incongruous ways. Other works are more like a personal collection, revealing a strange and fragile inner world.

However, the scientific and the personal often intersect. Juxtaposing the still lifes are paintings of haunting and enigmatic female faces. They peer out from a space cut out from the picture plane. They have an almost idealized beauty, and yet portray a tender humanity. Rippon depicts his subject matter as being enclosed within the picture plane in recessed spaces, or sometimes attached to the surface. This suggests that the painting is not merely a window or a snapshot of something that exists elsewhere, but that the subject depicted is actually situated on the wall in front of the viewer. This heightens the immediacy and intimacy of the painting, stripping away the safety barrier between the viewer and the subject matter.

About Face: 12 Artists - 84 Portraits

• Main Exhibition Room
• Opens Thursday 29 September 18h00
• Closes Sunday 6 November 17h00

The About Face 12 Artists - 84 portraits project was a joint venture between the Tatham Art Gallery and a group of portrait artists invited by Cally Lotz. Most of the artists belong to a regular life drawing group, but for this exhibition some young artists sponsored by the Gallery joined them. In a series of interactive portrait workshops in the first half of 2011, the participants took turns to be the models. By drawing and painting each other, the artists honed their skills and produced a body of work for exhibition. Each artist was required to complete seven designated portraits, which included a self-portrait.

The members of the group learnt from each other, and also from a number of experts who were invited to give advice and feedback from time to time. The concept 'portrait' was often discussed and the group became aware of a wide range of interpretations. One of the most interesting end results was to see how differently the same person is portrayed by individual artists. It was soon evident that each portrait contained as much information about the painter as it did about the sitter, making each one another kind of 'self portrait'.

Meeting the Makers

Contemporary Craft of KwaZulu-Natal

• Main Exhibition Room
• Opens Thursday 28 July 18h00
• Until Sunday 18 September 17h00
• Limited edition book accompanying the exhibition

In 2010, the Gallery received funding from the National Arts Council of South Africa for an exhibition and publication on contemporary craft in KwaZulu-Natal. Lovers of excellence have long been concerned about the mass of unimaginative and sub-standard wares that is sold as craft all around us. We hoped to find craft items that were excellently constructed, had aesthetic appeal, and which had a sense of originality.

The Gallery staff set out with enthusiasm on a series of well-planned field trips. We met, interviewed and photographed crafters in their working environments, and purchased high quality craft items. We scoured the province from north to south and east to west, and selected an exhibition we feel reflects the best craft produced in the province. The publication which accompanies the exhibition offers some insights into issues which currently concern crafters and craft making. Photographs help suggest the environments and conditions under which craft is produced, showing how the human spirit is capable of producing beauty in spite of all odds. This show is for anyone interested in beautiful objects.

This groundbreaking exhibition opened at the Tatham Art Gallery in July, uniting a broad diversity of contemporary craft producers in KZN. From the beautifully rendered work of crafters such as Bonginkosi Tshabalala and Humphrey Modibedi to commercially produced products from internationally acclaimed talents Egg Design and Richard Stretton, Meeting the Makers promises a cross-section of the kind of creative talents that can only be found in the diverse physical and cultural landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal.

The National Arts Council (NAC) has partnered with the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg to produce a flagship exhibition and publication on contemporary art in KwaZulu-Natal. The aim of the project is to promote selected crafters from the province who are producing high quality, sustainable objects that bridge the divide between traditional craft and so-called 'high art'.

In the western world, fine art has for many centuries been granted greater status than craft, but with more and more art museums incorporating ‘craft’ into their permanent collections, a revolution is slowly taking hold and the division between the two concepts is beginning to dissolve. Through the exhibition and the accompanying book, Meeting the Makers will showcase the richness and variety of contemporary craft production in KZN, while at the same time providing crafters with much needed income, both from the purchase of their work, and also from the possibility of future work generated by their presence in this high profile exhibition.

Made possible by funding from the NAC, the Tatham staff have spent the past few months traversing the province in search of crafters with a unique contemporary vision. In South Africa, and specifically KwaZulu-Natal, a great many people earn their livelihood from crafts. But in a world defined by constant change, there has long been concern about the mass of unimaginative and sub-standard wares that are sold in SA, many of which have not evolved much from the seaside curios produced during the apartheid era.

On their travels the Tatham staff hoped to find craft items that were excellently designed and constructed, visually outstanding, and which had a sense of originality that made them shine compared to the usual array of craft that can be found at local markets and curio stores. All the staff members who went on field trips were required to keep diaries, the stories from which are to be included in the book, which is being published by the Gallery. As Brendan Bell, Director of the Tatham states, "It is about objects, yes, but it is more about the people who make those objects".

Altogether there were eight major field trips and plenty of day trips to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, as well as visits in and around the Durban Metro area. The team scoured the province, sourcing over 150 pieces produced by nearly 100 crafters, and have assembled an exhibition that truly reflects the best craft produced in KZN.

The collection ranges from traditional Zulu ceramics to contemporary lighting designs, and includes a bespoke collection of basketry, embroidery, wood turning, jewellery and wire work. There is an impressive mix of traditional craft-making and cutting edge design. Embroidery produced by local crafters from the Ingwavuma region sits alongside a high-tech lamp by urban product designers, Egg Designs. Other work on display includes turned bowls by Andrew Early, furniture from Koop Design, paper flowers from the award-winning Shaw Sisters and phenomenal beadwork from members of the Hillcrest Aids Centre.

The book which accompanies the exhibition offers some insights into the issues which currently concern crafters and craft making. In rural areas this often involves problems of accessing materials and markets. Photographs in the book illustrate the environments and conditions under which craft is produced. This is sometimes a salutary lesson in how the human spirit is capable of producing beauty in the face of dismal odds.

Meeting the Makers: Contemporary Craft of KwaZulu-Natal opens at the Tatham Art Gallery (PMB) on Thursday 28th July at 18h00 and runs until Sunday 18th September at 17h00

• Download a list of participating crafters (100KB PDF)

If you would like to set up interviews with any of the crafters, please contact Kirsty on +27 (0)74 644 1492 or email kirsty@thecommunicationfactory.org

The Epic of Everlasting: KWV Cecil Skotnes Collection

• Schreiner Gallery
• Opens Thursday 19 May 18h00
• Closes Sunday 19 June 17h00

The heritage of KWV is significantly determined by its engagement with the arts. The KWV collection features works by several of South Africa's most revered artists, such as Skotnes, Stern and Laubser. Commissioned work forms a significant and special part of its collection, and thus lends a unique perspective to this body of art.

In 1977, Cecil Skotnes created a piece for KWV which is arguably one of the artist's most exceptional works. Based on one of the oldest stories of humankind, The Epic of Gilgamesh, Skotnes reimagined this story as the Origin of Wine, and translated it into a remarkable wood-carved panel. This work celebrates not only the complex heritage of the wine-making industry in the Cape, but evokes a love for wine which stems from the ancient epoch of Gilgamesh and continues into the present day.

KWV again asked Skotnes to create two series of works for their 1979 and 1982 “Art Calendar” projects. The 1982 series depicts twelve extraordinary landscapes from the Cape region, which powerfully capture the unique terroir from which KWV's wines are produced.

To honour Skotnes and his association with wine, KWV is pleased to present the Epic of Everlasting. Through this exhibition, KWV wishes to share their treasures of Cecil Skotnes' artistry, and encourage the public to take part in a wine and art experience which will continue to build on the KWV arts heritage into the future.

KWV are running an exciting treasure hunt as part of the exhibition. Details about the exhibition and the treasure hunt can be found at www.epicofeverlasting.co.za

For further information about the exhibition contact Bryony Clark at 033 392 2801 or e-mail: bryony.clark@msunduzi.gov.za

Midlands Matric Art Exhibition

• Main Exhibition Room
• Opens 18h00 Thursday 31 March 2011
• Closes 17h00 Sunday 22 May 2011

Given the success of last year's Midlands Matric Art exhibition we have decided to continue showcasing art works from KwaZulu-Natal Midlands schools. As usual, teachers and learners have worked hard in producing works for this exhibition.

Apart from traditional art making techniques, there are innovative subjects, and use of media as learners provide us with an idea of shifting and changing directions in visual arts in this province. Art educators and art learners are encouraged to use the exhibition for inspiration and for ideas on tackling syllabi demands.

Samsara: A continuous pursuit

• Main Exhibition Room
• Opens 18h00 Thursday 24 February 2011
• Closes 17h00 Sunday 20 March 2011

To commemorate the arrival of indentured Indians to South Africa 150 years ago, the Tatham Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition of works by Indian artists. This exhibition is also a celebration of Indian influenced art which highlights the impact Indian life has had in a broader South African context.

Diverse works by older visionaries sit alongside younger cutting edge artists exploring similar themes and motifs. The exhibition enables the viewer to see the establishment of cultural traditions juxtaposed against current social preoccupations. Many of the works on the show engage with oeuvres of identity, legacy and heritage.

Overarching themes have been identified and explored to unpack political, religious, cultural and social practice. The majority of work is by artists of Indian descent and artists who have been influenced by symbols and identities associated with Indian culture.

Works on this exhibition span a wide range of media including painting, photography through video and installation. Younger artists such as Zen Marie, Reshma Chhiba, Usha Seejarim and Sharlene Khan deal directly with family histories, expectations and ritual through new media. Ravi Govender and Kiren Thathiah explore spirituality through oils and Ken Godfrey imbues an almost pop approach to cultural icons through vibrant watercolour. Zainab Reddy and Ebrahim Badsha will form the backbone telling stories of histories past.

The exhibition was coordinated and curated by Jenny Stretton and Liesa Hillar of the Durban Art Gallery in collaboration with Selvan Naidoo, an art teacher at Northwood School and National Design Examiner. Guidance in shaping the structure of 'Samsara' was kindly offered by Riason Naidoo, Director of the Iziko South African National Gallery, and Vedant Nanackchand, Head of Department, Visual Art Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture, University of Johannesburg.

Art and Politics

• Schreiner Gallery
• Until Sunday 15 May 17h00

The arts have been an integral part in South Africa's fight for freedom. Artists, through their works in visual and performing arts, conveyed messages that transcended the accepted norms and conventional thinking, resulting in them being seen as catalysts between the masses and the fight for freedom.

The combination of arts and politics led to groundbreaking imagery and production which went beyond the criteria and prescriptions offered and regulated by the Nationalist government. The art produced by both black and white artists illustrated the harsh realities of Apartheid as a system of governance and became an inspiration of creativity where the artists use the subject matter to comment on social, economic and political inequalities.

The advent of democracy in South Africa changed the political landscape and ultimately the artists had to react to the new South African landscape and thus changed their perceptions of the new democratic South Africa, like the artwork by Progress Matubaku, Something for Growth. The image of Hector Petersen is internationally known and has been linked with the dramatic changes in the fight against oppression by the youth in the 1976 uprisings.

Matubaku uses this imagery to illustrate how uncertainties of the future were main worries for the citizens. In this image Matubaku has combined both the past and present images through using the Magubane photograph and the new South African flag to illustrate how reconciliation and unity are important for the country's prosperity.

In the South African context the impact of artists’ comments has led to new genres like township art, political art and resistance art which all make statements about socio-political conditions of the country beyond South African borders as seen in the examples of Theophile Steinlen’s Working on Scaffold and Demetrius Spirou’s Phropheticon.

Jutta Faulds: Circles of Tranquility

• The Schreiner Gallery
• Opens Sunday 5 December at 10h00
• Closes Sunday 16 January 2011
• To be opened by Kobus Moolman

Jutta Faulds
Burnout

Jutta Faulds is a self taught fibre artist. She has worked as a mixed media/fibre artist for a number of years and has exhibited both in solo exhibitions and as part of a group.

Today she spends her time teaching design/dyeing/felt making and related skills on an informal basis. She is involved in the running of MACS (the Midlands Arts & Craft Society) in Pietermaritzburg.

The pieces on the exhibition are mixed media, including fabric and recycled paper in many guises. "There are a number of mandala-making approaches one could use to involve others. Mandalas have been an obsession of mine for a number of years. Mostly they have been small and personal expressions, a form of meditation, an obscure record of daily concerns, a distraction, in other words a kind of life support I am referring to my life", she said.

This is not the first time Jutta has exhibited at the Tatham Art Gallery, and her work can be found in private and public collections both in South Africa and overseas.