VISUAL ART

NEARER THAN BRONZE

From March 4 to 20 the Technikon Natal Art Gallery will host an exhibition of paper art featuring the work of 12 professional Johannesburg and Durban artists: Vincent Baloyi, Walter Oltmann, Andries Botha, John Roome, Wilma Cruise, Peter Schutz, Eugene H”n, Tony Starkey, Antoinette Murdoch, Barry Truter, Karel Nel and Jeremy Wafer.

The focus on paper as a medium is a new challenge since most of these artists do not usually use paper in their works.

Rated as being "nearer than bronze" in its availability and cost, paper offers endless creative possibilities owing to its versatility. Major paper art is currently being produced in Europe and America. By giving paper art recognition through an exhibition such as this, it is hoped that interest will be generated countrywide.

Paper is certainly a 90's medium with the contemporary emphasis on recycling and concern for ecology. It is further-more a "democratic" medium, requiring little outlay for equipment and is therefore accessible to those who cannot afford costly facilities.

A walkabout will be conducted at 12h30 on March 4.

NCAG MEETINGS

North Coast Art Group meetings are held on the first Saturday of each month at 14h00 sharp at the Umhlanga Rocks Library (Activity Room). The next meetings take place on March 1 and April 5.

By unanimous vote at the group's Special General Meeting held last month, it was decided that meetings will no longer be formal affairs but that the group will spend the afternoon `hands-on' working.

Artists are requested to bring the where-withal to protect the carpet in their work area and any table surface they may use. All painters need to bring an easel.

The Activity Room is not equipped in any way as a studio so `in situ' equipment such as stools or chairs will come in handy.

Aspiring artists or new artists in the area are welcome to join.

Phone president/treasurer Wendy Courier on 568-1895 or secretary Marielle Sabatini on 568-2018 for details.

JAVA @ JAVA

The Java @ Java Gallery has to date held eight successful exhibitions featuring work by local, previously unexposed artists. All have been well received by the public.

Artists from all over Africa are parti-cipating in The Power of Women exhibi-tion which runs through March and is described as reflecting the strengths and power of women.

There will also be poetry readings and a tribute to President Mandela in which many prominent personalities have been invited to take part.

The April exhibition, Newborn, will be "a celebration of life" with the focus on children including Durban's street children.

Java @ Java is situated at 13 Marriott Road in Greyville.

BRIDGING THE GAP

The Bridging the Gap exhibition runs at the BAT Centre's Democratic Gallery until March 5.

Winners of the Bridging the Gap Art competition: Themba Ngema (1st), Joseph Mkanyselwa Manana (2nd) and Glynn Erasmus (3rd). Recommended artists are: Moses Buthelezi, Khehla E T Ngobese, Janina Barratt, George Msimang, Karyn Wiggill and Shelley Waters.

The exhibition was organised by art suppliers, iKathi, now have a shop at BAT.

For more details call her on 266-9188.

DAG EVENTS

In addition to the exhibitions running at the Durban Art Gallery - KZN Schools Matric Art until March 2 and the Tito Zungu Retrospective from March 2 to 26 (see separate articles) - there is also a wide range of workshops on offer. These will be held at the Educentre, 5th floor Colonial Tower, Mark Lane, from 09h00 to 12h00.

Mar 4-5: Ceramic Painting. Cost R30.

Mar 11-12: Flower Arranging. Cost R35.

Mar 18-20: Fabric Painting. Cost R40.

Mar 25-26: Zulu Beadmaking (for teens and adults). Cost R20.

Mar 29: Easter Eggs - decorate eggs for Easter. Cost 5.

Booking for workshops is essential as places are limited.

Phone Pat Khoza or Phumzile Dlamini on 300-6234.

ART BY THE SEA

The open-air art exhibition Art by the Sea will be held on March 2, 16 and 30 at the Old Pavilion Site on the Snell Parade. Proceeds to Durban Child Welfare Society.

For details contact 23-8743.