South Africa’s vibrant arts scene is buzzing with activity as Johannesburg-based artist Lusanda Ndita wins the prestigious 2024 Absa L’Atelier Gerard Sekoto Award. This major recognition coincides with two other significant cultural events: a thought-provoking fashion exhibition at Museum Africa and the groundbreaking inaugural SA Clay Awards in Durbanville. These showcases highlight the immense talent and creative energy currently shaping the country’s cultural landscape.
A Snapshot of South Africa’s Creative Events
| Event | Highlight | Location | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absa L’Atelier Gerard Sekoto Award | Lusanda Ndita wins top prize | Johannesburg | 2024 Award Cycle |
| Fashion Accounts Exhibition | Exploring colonial history through fashion | Museum Africa, Johannesburg | Until 28 February 2024 |
| SA Clay Awards | Inaugural celebration of ceramic art | Rust-en-Vrede Gallery, Durbanville | Until 7 December |
Lusanda Ndita Honored with Prestigious Gerard Sekoto Award
Visual artist Lusanda Ndita has earned one of South Africa’s top art accolades for his powerful and evocative work. His art focuses on personal and collective memory, specifically exploring the theme of absent father figures.
By using domestic archives, Ndita reconstructs and reimagines these figures, bringing their silhouettes back into the narrative with a restored sense of presence. In his acceptance speech, he paid tribute to his ancestors and acknowledged the legacy of Gerard Sekoto, a pioneer of African modernism.
As the winner, Ndita receives a three-month residency at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris. This incredible opportunity, provided through a collaboration between Absa and the French Institute, will allow him to connect with the global art community and further develop his unique artistic practice.
Fashion as a Voice at Museum Africa
In a related celebration of local creativity, Museum Africa is hosting the Fashion Accounts exhibition. This powerful showcase examines South Africa’s colonial past through the lens of clothing and textiles.
Curated by a team including Wanda Lephoto and Erica de Greef, the exhibit uses the museum’s Bernberg Costumes & Textiles Collection to challenge historical biases. It critiques the collection’s largely European focus while simultaneously amplifying Afrocentric stories of identity and resistance. The exhibition demonstrates how dress can be used for both oppression and liberation.
The showcase features work from some of the country’s most celebrated designers. Highlights include pieces by:
- Thebe Magugu
- Sindiso Khumalo
- The Sartists
- Mimi Duma
Co-curator Alison Moloney perfectly captured the exhibition’s theme, stating, “Fashion can be a tool of colonialism, but also a site for liberation.” The exhibit runs until 28 February 2024.
Inaugural Clay Awards Showcase Ceramic Talent
Further proving the depth of South Africa’s artistic talent, the first-ever SA Clay Awards have opened at the Rust-en-Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum. This new biennial event is a major milestone for the country’s ceramics community.
The exhibition was curated by renowned ceramicist Hennie Meyer and features 50 outstanding pieces chosen from over 500 submissions. It presents a balanced collection of both functional and sculptural clay works, representing a diverse range of artists from emerging talents to established masters.
In a unique approach that emphasizes community, the prize money is shared equally among all the finalists. This fosters a spirit of collective celebration over individual competition. The gallery’s affiliation with the International Academy of Ceramics adds significant prestige to the awards, placing South African ceramic art firmly on the global stage.
