David Krut Print Workshop
Check out the printing workshop details by David Krut. Be sure to make a note of the beautiful collectibles you could purchase. It’s been more than 3 years since Senzo Shabangu started printing with the David Krut Print Workshop (DKW) in Johannesburg. Senzo arrived in this African metropolis from Driefontein in Mpumalanga, hoping to become a pilot. However, the route to flying was harder than he expected. The daily reality of people living in Johannesburg also moved him, and he realised that producing art was a means both to making a comment on the situations surrounding him as well as a possible way to support himself. He studied printmaking at Artist’s Proof Studio before starting to make monotypes with DKW in 2010. He is now a regular collaborator with DKW and has not forgotten his dream of soaring, as he is currently taking flying lessons too. Senzo works primarily in the relief linocut method. He has an expressive style of carving that radiates with energy and vitality. This vibrancy is further enhanced by his use of strong and bold sways of colour, that provide the viewer with rich surfaces, thus balancing his expressive mark making. He uses deep scarlets, velvety golds and royal blues. Much of Senzo’s work speaks of his journey to Johannesburg and becoming a resident of this bustling urban environment. These vibrant linocuts therefore echo the African energy that is so familiar to those who have experienced this lively city. Take Me Away from the City III depicts the Johannesburg skyline constructed on top of a suitcase, which can be read to refer to the artist moving to the city, his new home, or constantly carrying the city with him, his new urban identity. Much of this artist’s work is inspired by social unrest and issues that affect the average South African on a daily basis. Vusumuzi Mandlakayise represents a man carrying his possessions with him in a ‘Jozi bag’ in one hand and the burden of three humans wrapped tightly in a towel on his back. The figures being carried on the back refer directly to his mother, his wife and his son. It symbolises the stress and responsibility that he carries by being the breadwinner in his family, as is the case for many men in South Africa. The struggles and battles of daily life are further investigated in Shabangu’s print, Checkmate. The print is dominated by a large, bold scarlet chess piece hovering in mid-air, waiting to be launched in a new direction, on a giant chess board that echoes a Johannesburg landscape. It evokes ‘a game of life’ in which pieces are...
Apply now! Animation Workshop at the Bag Factory
The Bag Factory invites those interested in animation to attend our upcoming workshop. Participants from any over 14 years old can attend an introductory animation workshop with visiting artists Dathini Mzayiya, Kim Modise and Fidel Regueros Garcia Herreros. Those accepted will have the opportunity to take part in the production of stop-motion animation pieces involving both 3 dimensional and 2 dimensional approaches. Using plasticene, toys and clothing, the artists will guide participants through the process with the objective of producing a short animation from storyboard to editing. We only have 10 spaces available, so in order to be part of this fun project please apply as soon as possible by providing your name, contact information, and ID number in a letter of interest as soon as possible to james@bagfactoryart.org.za The workshop will run from **Monday 20 June to Wednesday 22 June from 10am to 4pm** at the Bag Factory studios in Newtown. Application deadline: Monday 13 June Applications need to be in the form of a 1page motivation...
A Soulful event for designers & fashionistas alike
So the question remains, how on earth do we make money from our art? Represent’s resident fashion fundi Vincent Zondo reckons part of the magic formula is a robust PR and marketing plan. He lets us in on a must-attend event (THIS SATURDAY in Jozi) for everyone and their muse working in the fashion and clothing industry, the OldMutual SoulSessions, taking place this weekend in Jozi and then in Durban and PE in the following two weeks. Click here for more info and make sure to pay the very affordable price to get the lowdown on getting your genius out there. Represent! Last year at Fashion Week, in between all things fashionable – I managed to catch Chris Viljoen – ELLE magazine’s Fashion Director to get his view on the shows, designers and collections that we had just seen. The (important) fact I wanted to probe was his opinion on how our local fashion designers faired compared to international designers, particularly on the business side of the trade. Chris represents true international fashion exposure, I mean, thanks to him and ELLE (The bible) we got a glimpse of some of the hot-off-the-ramps trends that graced Paris fashion week, nice! His response highlighted the realities facing South African fashion designers and entrepreneurs alike…how to make a business out of fashion. Now, fashion designers and fashionistas…do Pay attention here: “Our designers have a long way to go when compared to fashion houses like Marc Jacobs, Paul Smith, Gucci or Prada and other independent designers internationally as they operate as mobile brands” said Chris. I concur. I think that the success formula has to include independent designers acquiring a Publicist that goes all out to ensure consistent media exposure, you know, the experienced marketing types with ties strong enough to hook up unique brand opportunities – whether its dressing Halle Berry to the Oscars or Paris Hilton for that hugely publicised VIP event; a continuous efforts is made get the designer’s brands to attain some form of association with that ‘glam space’ of fabulous fashion. Hence I say their approach to fashion and business is far more advanced than ours (which is still in it’s teens?). Also most noticeable about these designers is that they know just how to network, are super business savvy and good at working opportunities that can help them get ahead of the pack. This is FASHION and competition is always cut-throat – the work doesn’t stop when fashion week ends. A step in the right direction – here’s how. Now, as much as we are all aware that we have some catching up to do and the...
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