South african crafts take America by storm
The Art Santa Fe in New Mexico was hit by a South African thunder this week when the Mzansi crafters Mr Kenneth Robert Nkosi and Ms Pauline Mazibuko from Mofolo Art Centre descended on their shores with majestically and proudly made in South Africa products.
Within 15 minutes of the market opening, Mr Nkosi made a whooping R75 000 by selling three (3) of his art work to local buyers in New Mexico. “The Art Market here is huge and is indeed a life changing experience.” said Mr Nkosi.
Santa Fe is known to host international art markets and this year Art Santa Fe celebrated its fifteenth successful fair, again offering an all-encompassing experience that included a high class mix of excellent contemporary galleries from all over the globe, cutting edge art installations, and emerging artists and dealers.
Mr Nkosi’s works is made of various collages using different fabrics or materials to create a different form of art. This form of art intrigues most international buyers as they have never seen such a technique in a uniquely South African style. He makes portraits using pieces of material from Seshoeshoe to nylon.
Deputy Minister Thabethe who is leading the delegation also added: “The buyers here have no time to complain about the price, for as long they like the product, they buy without hesitation. The art work from South Africa is new and fresh to their eyes, it is just fascinating and that’s why they can’t stop talking about South Africa” she concluded
Ms Pauline Mazibuko is also another sensational story. “What we do here in three days is far better than what we can achieve in more than a month back home, sometimes even more than half a year. It is just incredible, they love our products. Thanks to the South African government for supporting us” exhumed Ms Mazibuko
Ms Mazibuko is a collagist, who primarily uses magazines and other paper materials to tell South African stories. Small fine pieces of magazines and newspaper cuttings are used to create new form of artworks depicting ordinary people in their daily lives. Most of her work is based on South African women’s stories and their struggles and triumphs, the content of her art work celebrate the ordinary women and children of South Africa.
Mr Nkosi and Ms Mazibuko are flying the South African flag very high in Santa Fe. They are the most selling artist in the entire fair.
What a good story to tell!
Enquiries:
Noko Manyelo
E-mail: nmanyelo@dsbd.gov.za
Cell: 060 972 5221
