THAT ART FAIR to host African artists

In less than two weeks a new art fair which focuses on African arts will kick off in Cape Town, South Africa. The event tagged: Fresh Art from Africa; aims at promoting contemporary African arts.

The organisers of the art fair; Art South Africa, in a press release said the event will start on Friday, Feburry 27 to Sunday, March 1. It will feature photography, urban art, performance art, painting, fashion, comic art, sculpture and much more.

Ghanaian artist, Jacob Tetteh, Fine and Decorative Arts Auctioneers, Stephan Welz, who will be curating: The Future Masters exhibition, Spoek Mathambo, The Brother Moves On and Thor Rixon, as well as extensive line-up of DJs, musicians, entrepreneurs, and gallery owners in Africa, will also partake in the art fair.

However, application for entries closed on February 3, as gathered from the official page of the event on Facebook.
 
“As an initiative of ArtsouthAfrica, THAT ART FAIR is committed to fostering a spirit of creativity, sustainability and positive change in the contemporary African art world.

“THAT ART FAIR celebrates emerging, independent and established artistic talent and fringe arts. It is a dynamic alternative to the traditional art fair model. Situated in Salt River, Cape town, South Africa, on the edge of the Woodstock creative district, the urban location presents artists’ work in an affordable, accessible and unintimidating environment,” the organisers said in a press release.
 
The art fair is an initiative of ARTsouthAFRICA magazine, a leading African contemporary arts magazine based in Cape Town, South Africa. Founded and published by Brendon and Suzette Bell- Roberts and now in its 14th year, the publication is dedicated to transformation, growing networks and creating opportunities for young artistic talent in the contemporary African art world. 

Visit the official website for more detail: www.thatartfair.com

Next Episode

Contemporary Nigerian artist, Stanley Dudu has been consistent with monochrome, those who are familiar with his artworks can attest to this and it might surprise most of them when they see his recent works as he has introduced a hint of colour to his artworks.

This was observed during his last solo art exhibition of charcoal and pastel drawings titled: Next Episode. “My artworks are  monochrome, but I have introduced colour to it, and the intensity of the colours are much stronger unlike some years back when I was just beginning to experiment; putting colour to the monochrome,” he explained.

 The exhibition took place at Alexis Galleries, Victoria Island Lagos. Dudu said: “I am transiting from New Episode to Next Episode phase, which is why I chose the theme for this exhibition. The theme is sequel to my previous show, my first solo show titled New Episode.”

Another reason why he chose this theme according to him is to create continuity for the two exhibitions “because there is a sort of relationship between the two phases (New Episode and Next Episode), the medium and subjects are the same.”

He continued: “The rendition has also changed because I have better works now. What I will be showcasing won’t be just mere drawings because it is daring to be different.”

According to him, the touch of colour is to put a twist to his works, “even as much as I will like to create an identity for myself, in terms of maintaining monochrome,” he said.

This artist who described himself as a realist, graduated from Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State. He has participated in various group exhibitions.

“Dudu's works make me cry,” said Patty Chidiac, the exhibition curator and the gallery owner, while explaining how she feels about the artist’s works. “The works they depict everyday activities in Nigeria. You could see market scene, children playing and pretending to be mummy and daddy.

“His drawings are very emotional, they are the type of pieces you cannot resist. Dudu is now going through a more powerful series, a darker series; darker as in pigment, in charcoal, more expression and much better proportion,” she explained passionately. 

The exhibition was well attended and over 30 works were sold.