New Breed Art Webinars: supporting South African art

20 June 2022 7356

Through a series of dedicated New Breed Art Webinars presented by Phatshoane Henney Attorneys and sponsored by Absa, insightful conversations with contemporary South African artists open the door of mentorship to up-and-coming artists across the country.

Mentorship is a very important focus of the New Breed Art offering this year, identified as vital to the growth and development of emerging artists. Kicking off with the New Breed Art Mentorship Session in May, it is now gearing up to the next level through gaining inspiration from leading South African artists. This is all in addition to and in run-up to the 2022 New Breed Art Competition, now in its sixth year, presented by Phatshoane Henney Attorneys in association with the Free State Art Collective, the Art Bank of South Africa and Oliewenhuis Art Museum, later this year.

"One of the most meaningful ways to support South African art - which we do so passionately - is through mentoring up-and-coming artists and nurturing their aspirations. New Breed Art is all about discovering a new breed of artists and showcasing local talent, and helping to unlock and leverage their gifts so they can grow prolific art careers. And what better way to do so than to bring the experience of some of South Africa's best contemporary artists to the fore, partake in insightful, engaging online conversations with them and leave our artists more inspired than ever!" says Magdel Louw, Phatshoane Henney Attorrney's Marketing Manager and the New Breed Art Projects Coordinator.

The series of four webinars feature some of South Africa’s best contemporary artists in stimulating conversation with members of the Free State Art Collective, all growing artists themselves, via Zoom. 

“The New Breed Art Webinar Series, a first for the Free State, is a vision that has finally become a reality. Through this initiative and thanks to the generous sponsorship of Absa and support of Phatshoane Henney Attorneys, a door has opened for Free State artists to show their deserved place in the national and global arts ecosystem. These art webinars have been carefully curated to present the attendees with an enormous opportunity for knowledge and growth. 

“If you love the arts, are fascinated by the way South African artists with strong voices are change agents in shifting perspectives, I urge you to attend these webinars,” says Karen Brusch, founder of the Free State Art Collective.

First up, is a fascinating exchange with South African contemporary artist Cow Mash, led by Bontle Tau on Thursday 30 June at 16:00. Cow Mash, born Kgaogelo Mothepa Mashilo in 1994 in Limpopo Province and now based in Pretoria, primarily maps her existence as artist through sculptures, and her creative process, she says, is guided by her self-given name, Cow. If you are interested in attending, click here to register. 

Next-up is a thought-provoking session with sculptor Ben Orkin, led by Miró van der Vloed, 2021 New Breed Art Competition Merit Award winner, on Thursday 28 July at 16:00. Orkin’s ceramic vessels, a sculptor based in Cape Town and represented by Whatiftheworld Gallery, are known to reflect queer intimacy and their textured finish is evidence of the hand-builder’s careful touch. This rising star has much to share about his quick ascent from graduation, to getting gallery representation and then exhibiting in the international arena.

This will be followed up by a conversation between Johannesburg-based Leshoka Joe Legate, lithographer and founder of LL Editions, and Lyrene Kühn-Botma on 29 September, also at 16:00. Leshoka has more than 22 years of experience in Fine Art Lithography and other mediums in printmaking, having worked with renowned local and international artists. Both artists will engage on topics of process, printmaking and training within the fascinating world of lithography, in particular.

The series ends on a high note with revolutionary and internationally renowned Tracey Rose, also from Johannesburg and best-known for her performative practice which often translates to and is accompanied by photography, video, installation, and digital prints, being conversationally interviewed by André Rose, 2017 New Breed Art Competition runner-up, on Thursday 27 October at 16:00. Tracey Rose currently has a comprehensive retrospective exhibition titled “Shooting down Babylon” showcasing her oeuvre from the 1990s till the present, at Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art in Cape Town. This promises to be a fascinating discussion.

Keep an eye on the New Breed Art website, Facebook page and Instagram for more information and details on how to register. It's free and open to everybody.

“We are looking forward to opening up this unique, innovative and accessible virtual platform for artists, curators, arts professionals, teachers, historians and anyone else interested in art and embracing this engaging opportunity to share and learn. Thank you to Absa and the Free State Art Collective for joining hands with Phatshoane Henney Attorneys, enabling us to do so!” Louw concludes.

https://www.newbreedart.co.za
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