Funding needed for bodymapping project and community workshops

Remember the Koekenaap workshop in which I participated in 2011? Refresh your memory by following this link, this one, or read my Afrikaans account of the workshop. It was one of the opportunities created for artists in the region of the Namaqualand around Koekenaap, Klawer and Vredendal, and was organised by Desireé Brand and the Wesland Kunsvereniging. The workshop brought artists in from different areas of the Western Cape, creating a space for interaction, collaboration, art-making, discussion and ideas germination. It also culminated into an exhibition in Vredendal held at the Wesland Kunsvereniging, showcasing the work created during the 10-day workshop or residency. 

Artmaking during the 2011 regional Koekenaap workshop

Desireé is now running another similar project that forms part of her research at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, focusing on the state of art and artmaking in the Olifantsrivier Valley of Namaqualand.  The area plays host to a lot of creative and talented people, however there is no public art, galleries or other platforms for local artists. It's difficult enough for artists to create great art despite criticism and self-doubt, but it's even worse when there is no platform, no support and no community for the creative work that you do and to share your interest and passion for art. The following photographs documents one of the workshops organized as part of the new project. The workshop took place on the farm Begin!, located on the R362 between Klawer and Vredendal in the Western Cape. 

The current project is focused on doing body-mapping with people from different sectors - bringing together farm workers, people from the towns and people from the townships in a supportive space where their creativity can be explored and utilised into shaping a collective. Up to now the funding for projects such as this has come from the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs & Sport, but this workshop is the last project that will be funded by the department, leaving a huge gap that needs to be filled. This is where you come in... If you can support or fund the project in any way, please contact Desireé at +27 27 2132567 or info@caperockwines.co.za.

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Originally posted/cross-posted on the Green Your Art blog

Koekenaap workshop: part four

The open day was held at the Wesland Kunsvereniging building in Vredendal, and in almost record-breaking time we managed to hang and display all the artworks for viewing. These are the artworks that I have created in 10 days' time in Koekenaap:

Koekenaap: Seedpod, acrylic on found paper, 148 x 95mm, 2011.

Koekenaap: Transpirasie II, wine and ash on paper, 320 x 230mm, 2011

Koekenaap: Kliphard, watercolour & pencil on paper, 400 x 290mm, 2011

Asem, leafprint on paper, 148 x 100mm, 2011

Blare in 'n ry geplak - sketsboek werk

Work in progress

My Koekenaap work, laid out on the floor of the hall.

Detail: Bound to Earth, mixed media on wood, 590 x 155mm, 2011.

The workshop was an incredible opportunity for creative experimentation and growth. The people I met have all in some way taught me something about myself, themselves and about art.

Koekenaap workshop: part one

I returned on Monday 10 September from a 10 day art-making experience at the Koekenaap art workshop in the North-Western Cape on the West Coast close to Lutzville, Vredendal and Strandfontein. 20 artists, supplied with art materials, food and accommodation, and granted the freedom to create together, inspire each other and experiment with new art methods...

In stikdonkerte kom ons aan by Koekenaap net nadat Vrydagaand Saterdag geword het, na ons 30 September uit Kaapstad vertrek uit - lekker moeg omdat 7 van ons urelaaaank ge-saamwag en saamstres het oor vervoer uit Kaapstad wat geherorganiseer moes word. Dié was natuurlik 'n lekker ysbreker en teen die tyd wat ons by Koekenaap aankom, skraap sommige van ons nog energie bymekaar en drink wyn om die vuur saam met die ander kunstenaars. Die laastes van ons is halfvyf die oggend bed toe...

 ...net om weer halfnege wakker geroep te word vir brekvis. 15 minutes se snooze, kreun en maak of ek nog slaap, 10 minute op die foon met manlief, 20 minute om dingetjies in die kamer te organiseer en vir my stortbeurt te wag, en 15 minute in die badkamer en toe mis ek sommer ontbyt! 'n Paar vruggies en tee, en toe's ek reg om (nog half-aan-die-slaap) almal te join en te begin skep.

 

After breakfast we start creating and doing art right away. How exhilarating to be able - and be expected - to work on an artwork with no other immediate responsibility or distraction withig the specific space of time!!

2 Oktober, Sondag

Woorde wat vloei in beelde in

en gedagtes in 'n energiebelaaide lug

wat soos 'n wolk hang oor die kampterrein

hande wat verf, teken, plak, klei vorm en gly oor teksture

stemme wat gons oor herkoms, uitkoms, ontkoms

en ervarings van gister en vorentoe

'n vroegoggendstappie langsaan kanaal, plaas en boorde,

tussendeur bome sandpad en heinings

met kamera klets en voetstap op sand.