November/December 2010

Dear AFH Friends and Associates.

AFH hopes that all of our subscribers have had a challenging and overall exciting 2010, We would like to wish everyone of you a Merry Christmas and a joyous and prosperous New Year! Please receive our final exciting and eventful newsletter of the year. Here is what we did during the month of November/December 2010:

Art for Humanity: what is art?

AFH defines art as that which is created to inspire all of humanity with freedom of expression, the quest for excellence, pride, dignity, and respect for individual rights, reflection and heritage. In this month’s issue:

Dialogue among Civilizations News

- Dialogue Among Civilizations Blog review  

- Portfolio preview

Break the Silence News

World Aids Day feature

Women for Children News

- School Workshops 2010 (Learners Inspired by School Banner Workshop)

- Images from School Workshop

General News

- AFH receives MACE Awards

- - International Human Rights Day Feature

-DUT Annual Fine Art & Jewellery Design Exhibition 2010

Click here to view our November/December 2010 Edition

Please remember all comments and letters are welcome.

Warm Regards,

Angelica Mannie & Thireshni Sanasy

AFH Media Team

Dialogue Amongue Civilizations

Check out the video of William Kelly and Joel Deane speaking about Art for Humanity's DAC project:

http://www.abc.net.au/arts/stories/s2962542.htm

World AIDS day

By Thireshni Sanasy

Today marks the anniversary of World Aids Day. The HIV/Aids epidemic is unfortunately escalating and now an estimated 46 MILLION people from around the world are infected.  Don't become a statistic! Become AWARE!

BREAK THE SILENCE PPRINT PORTFOLIO



Mduduzi Xakaza "Yehoshua Comforting Aids victim"

 Artist statement: Mduduzi Xakaza

HIV/Aids is a universal adversary threatening the survival of humanity. As long as our world is still characterised by economic competition and the subsequent marginalisation of the poor – rather than co-operation and compassion based on humanitarianism – the populations of the developing world are destined to be wiped off the face of our planet.

To see the other "Break The Silence" Artworks: 
http://www.afh.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=258&Itemid=83

16 Days of Activism

16 Days Activism for non violence against women and children takes place every year from the 25th November.  This is the 11th year that South Africa is taking part in this international Campaign, with the hopes that through these 16 days will lead to an elimination of all women and child abuse of any sort. The 16 Days of Activism leads to the Human Rights Day celebrated on the 10th December.

Below is an artwork of Ernest Pignon- Ernest.



“Halala" AFH

Ethekwini Municipality & Oxfam fund School Banner Workshop September 2010
By Angelica Mannie

During September Art for Humanity will facilitate through art and poetry the learner’s and street children’s responses to Human Rights and Social Justice Education in schools through engaging with the ethical values embedded in art and poetry.

Art for Humanity (AFH) is proud to announce that the EThekwini Municipality with collaboration from Oxfam has generously funded the School Banner Workshop 2010; the money will be used to produce more Women for Children banners to be mounted in schools, and also to run a series of workshops at the specified schools that are aimed at advocating children and women’s rights, all in celebration of heritage month.

The workshops are meant to encourage discussions on the issues of human rights. This is a wonderful opportunity for schools to create a spirit of activism and enlightenment amongst learners regarding children’s rights and welfare as well the voices of women as primary care givers in our society. The project further aims to inspire the values associated with good art and poetry in the learners and viewers, these values includes freedom of expression, creativity, excellence, innovation, pride, dignity and respect for individual rights, and lastly to promote reflection and appreciation of cultural heritage in the learners. It further provides the learners with the opportunity to express their thoughts, hopes and fears regarding HIV/AIDS, Justice, Children’s Rights and Welfare, Gender, Education, Community and Family. The long-term goal of the project is ultimately to equip learners to incorporate these values into their day to day life.

AFH has invited two schools, Zwelibanzi High, Umlazi High and UMTHOMBO Street children shelter to participate in the project this heritage month. The participating institutions have already selected two sets of art and poetry from the collection that they want featured on the banners that are displayed in their respective schools. The learners will participate inthe above mentioned workshops which, unfortunately has now been postponed to a later date as a result of the recent school teachers national strike action and the added pressure of the upcoming final year exams.

Real Stories Gallery

By Angelica Mannie

“Art for Humanity announces this important partnership with Real Stories Gallery, a global arts based initiative with the common objective of inspiring HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness in all. We firmly belief that science and technology can only be of benefit to humanity when developed and applied within the context and recognition of Culture, Human Rights and Social Justice, and the arts provide still the most important vehicle for sustainable social transformation,” said Jordaan

RSG focuses on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and artists are invited to contribute art work with an accompanying narrative based on HIV/AIDS. The art work contributed to Real Stories gallery can be for exhibition purposes only or can be put on sale. AFH has proudly uploaded artwork and accompanying poetry from the Women for Children portfolio, PIMA Print Portfolio, UDHR International Print Portfolio and of course the Break the Silence portfolio’s onto the RSG site. Certain individual prints are available for purchase from the portfolio’s, whilst others are only available as a full portfolio and for those who want to view but not purchase, the Women for Children portfolio for example is only on exhibition.

For more information visit : http://www.realstoriesgallery.com/about-us

An End to an Adventure... But Beginning of a Venture...

By Thireshni Sanasy

Eugenia assissting learners with
their poetry.

24 year old Eugenia Machado of Caracas, Venezuela whose month-long sabbatical at Art for Humanity has unfortunately come to an end is saddened that her time with us was so short.

Eugenia believes in One on one
attention with the student.

Machado, who was a representative of Artfully Aware which is an international non- profit organization that focuses on community development and international arts education, spent two weeks in South Africa working with Art For Humanity, before going to Swaziland where she worked for the Swaziland Theatre for Children and People.

Machado then returned to AFH for another two weeks, where she had the opportunity to attend and report on the first School Banner Workshop for the year at Ogwini Comprehensive Technical High School in Umlazi.

Eugenia (2nd Left), with members of AFH
and Ogwini Comprehensive Technical School.

School Inspired by Art Workshop...

By Thireshni Sanasy

AFH hosted its first School Banner workshop for the year at Ogwini Technical High School in Umlazi. The workshops which consist of AFH team members (artists and poets) heading to the schools and teaching the learners about creativity through art and poetry, proved to be an absolute success at Ogwini Technical High School.

Nqobile Mbambo presenting his work.

The class which consisted of +/- 40 grade 11 and 12 learners was throughout the workshop exciting and creative. Students were not only attentive when AFH Director Jan Jordaan spoke to them, but also were inspired by the words of poet, Topaz, who showed them that art comes in many different forms. Many of the students agreed that the workshops are beneficial and in the little time given had shown them how to bring out their own creativity and learn about not only art but poetry aswel. Grade 11 learner, Nqobile Mbambo said, “I think that this workshop is very supporting towards the learners it helps us so that we can show our talent and also so that we can get more opportunities in the art industry.”

AFH had also previously placed a banner on the schools building. The banner showcased an art piece by Gabisile Nkosi called "Sisterhood" and poem “Dancing with Angels” by Mavis Smallberg. 

Gabilisile Nkosi's "Dancing With Angels"

When Director, Jan Jordaan spoke to the learners about the art piece, many became so engrossed in the unfortunate story of Women Abuse, that during the workshop they decided to draw and write about the tribulations that Women still face today. Grade 12 learner, Boysie Bhengu said, “My inspiration for my own art piece came from the art on the banner, my art piece shows a single mother who raised her child with no help, all alone, and how painfully she has been abused, where she was left unmarried with a child. Her tears show the sadness and pain she feels. My poem is based on my drawing and I really appreciate everything I have learnt in this workshop today.”

When the learners had complete their drawing and poetry they took to the floor, to show the rest of the class what they had drawn and read out their poetry. The AFH team members watched in awe as these young students showed how talented they are, and how inspiration from one art piece can lead to so many other unique pieces.

‘Dialogue among Civilisation’ Exhibition news

By Angelica Mannie

Part of the curatorial concept,
an installation by
Artist Mondli Mdanda

After much planning and conceptualizing the opening exhibition of “Dialogue Among Civilization” , a project under the patronage of UNESCO was held on 21st March 2010 at the Durban Art Gallery, Durban Mayor, Obed Mlaba, welcomed delegates, artists, poets, and dignitaries and Justice Albie Sachs warmly addressed the audience before opening the exhibition, Sachs proudly exclaimed that “Reconciling a nation, creating a new South Africa, discovering your pride , integrity and creativity, lies at the heart of the exhibition of “Dialogue Among Civilisation”. Dieter Zettler who is the chairperson of the committee in the partnership between Durban and Bremen sister cities, warmly addressed the crowd and applauded the impressive art and poetry. He congratulated AFH on yet another successful project. Ms. Iratxe Momoitio Astorkia, Director of the Guernica Peace Museum in Spain, presented Professor Nqabomzi Gawe, Vice Chancellor of DUT, with the Guernica Peace Museum award for the DUT’s continuous efforts in promoting Human Rights and peace among all its stake holders. The award contained a leaf plate which symbolises the oak tree from where the earliest elected Basque representatives gathered. Prof Gawe thanked AFH for being persistent in their endeavour in continuing the work in advocating Human rights and Social justice through the arts and thanked Mrs. Astorkia for her ongoing interest and support for AFH and its work. Jan Jordaan, Director of AFH, explained that ‘Dialogue among Civilisations’ involved collaboration between artists and

People viewing the Exhibition.

Iratxe Momoitio Astorkia presents the “Oak Leaf” to Prof Nqabomzi Gawe
poets representing 35 countries including those that who participated in the 2006 Soccer World Cup as well as six of the Durban Sister Cities. The participants created work on the theme of identity, land, object and belief. The exhibition aimed to elicit and challenge the South African public’s views on xenophobia, racism and refugees. He further mentioned that the art and poetry will be displayed on billboards in communities and on banners in schools around South Africa in order to inspire South Africans with the ethical values associated with art and poetry.

Jenny Stretton acknowledged the sponsors involved in making the exhibition possible during her vote of thanks and also paid tribute to everyone that “lent e a helping hand”. It is hoped that these two events, will not only contribute towards a positive cultural climate for visitors to South Africa attending the Soccer World Cup but also visibly re-establish South Africa as a leader in the promotion of human rights and social justice on the continent. Pertinent to this great event on African soil and in a time when South Africans are experiencing problematic xenophobic attitudes towards foreigners as well as battling with incidents of racism within the South African society, this particular period when an influx of international delegates and tourists will be present in our country, AFH hopes that the spirit of ‘Ubuntu’ will be rekindled and taken back to other countries.

Poetry with a Rhythm

By Thireshni Sanasy

Slam Poet – Topaz, reciting his poetry at the AFH School Banner workshop

at Ogwini Technical High School.

23 year old Mzamo Jiyeza (Topaz) is an independent poet specialising in Slam poetry (poetry done with a beat and rhythm) and musician who is currently involved with the Art for Humanity school banner workshops. 

Topaz who grew up in Mtubatuba, was a bookworm from a young age, and says that hip hope music has made him what he is today. “I grew up in a family, where my uncle played alot of Hip Hop music, and from a young age I started listening to the lyrics and wanting to know what the words mean, by 1997 I could rap and by the age of 13, I was able to write my own words.” Topaz believes that poets are born and not made, and therefore is completely self-taught with no tertiary education in poetry or music. He adds that his love for rap music is what gave him an understanding of words.

Topaz attended the School banner workshop at Ogwini Technical  School on the 11 August with the AFH team, recited his poetry to the enthusiastic students. He believes that the learners are not the only ones who have gained knowledge from the workshop, and remarked that children have lessons for older people to learn from, and that you teach them and they in return teach you back. “I get to learn myself and grow myself, it’s all about giving back,” he said.

He attended Mlokothwa High School, but says that it is art that he attributes his success to, “Art has saved me, I am an art activist and Hip Hop activist, I got to learn art naturally, and began starting organisations to help children realise their artistic talents,” he said.  Having lived on the streets for a short period of time Topaz said, “I am not ashamed of it, it has been a definite influence on my aims to assist street children.”

Apart from being apart of the AFH School Banner Workshops Topaz is also signed to ‘Love Child’ and is apart of ‘ The Network’, which uses music as a source to connect people and which also runs workshops for children and artists to learn about art and music.

A passionate Topaz believes that art is limitless and it has definitely become his life. “I believe in art, because I am art...”