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The Department of Economic Development and Tourism launched the Art Décor Project also known as Art in Business, to give artists in the Western Cape a platform to market their products during 2005. The project is seen as an important initiative in developing the creative arts and cultural industries in a very practical way. Artists from the Western Cape had to capture "The World of Work in the Western Cape". Scenes depicting survivalist enterprises, small businesses and people working in formal organisations were submitted. The paintings had to be in acrylic or oil on hard board or canvas and had to measure 60 cm wide and 40 cm deep. Short-listed applicants underwent a screening process. The paintings had to be completed within two weeks from the date of appointment. The Department intends building a collection of paintings over a period of time. Details of the artists are made available to enable potential purchasers to contact the artists directly. Members of the group of artists exhibited at the Tourism Showcase (2005), Small Business Week (2005) and at the ArtsCape Marble Foyer, ArtsCape, Cape Town in March 2006 during the Cape Town Festival. The Department entered the works of 20 artists based in the Western Cape for POSITIVE 2006. Comments from the Artists Velile Soha developed an interest in art from a young age. He studied drawing, sculpturing, photography, painting, graphics and history of art. As full-time artist, Velile’s works featured in several solo and group exhibitions across South Africa, Namibia, the USA and Europe. “My aim is to show outside communities how my people lives their lives,” says Velile. Robert Thembinkosi from Zwelethemba, Worcester, studied fine art during the 1980’s. He has exhibited locally and internationally. Robert also writes poetry and short stories. “I paint murals, banners and signboards and teach the children in Zwelethemba (the secrets) of fine art,” says Robert. Raymond Lawrence is from Arniston. He is unmodified by formal art school and started by drawing local scenes while still at school. “I paint Kassiesbaai and other scenes exclusively from memory, rather than being at the scene,” he says. |
