Every year, Nando’s supports a new group of artists in their careers through the Nando’s Creative Exchange (NCX) programme. The artworks of rising stars are exhibited in collaboration with Spier Arts Trust and AVA Gallery.
The exhibition provides a platform for the artists to showcase their work, and it is hosted at the Association for Visual Arts (AVA) Gallery on Church Street from 1 December 2022 to 12 January 2023.
Along with the exhibition, NCX helps the participants by sponsoring art materials, setting up opportunities, and maximising their exposure through marketing and PR.
NCX was established in 2011 as a way of assisting South African artists with exceptional abilities in developing their careers through mentorship.
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The participants for Nando’s Creative Exchange 2022 are Sifiso Temba, Velile Soha, Simon Venter and Tanja Truscott.
Sifiso Temba is a printmaker, painter, drawer and sculptor who draws on his observations of communities, while Velile Soha, a visual artist from Langa, demonstrates township and rural life.
“I want to show the outside world how my people live their lives,” says Soha.
Simon Venter, a self-taught artist from Gqeberha, paints portraits, describing himself as “not simply an artist, but a painter,” while Tanja Truscott creates abstract pieces inspired by sounds, literature, poetry and music.
The four artists were assigned an experienced mentor, Pippa Hetherington, who guided the participants in the professional world of art.
Hetherington is a renowned South African artist who has worked in lens-based work and documentaries over the last two decades.
Spier Arts Trust is passionate about these kinds of programmes as they value the contribution of South African art to our economy and wellbeing as a country.
Former NCX participants have gone on to have successful careers, including artists who have had solo exhibitions at MOMO Gallery and the Cape Town Investec Art Fair, as well as shows in London, Italy, France and the United States.
For more information about Spier Arts Trust and Nando’s Creative Exchange click here.
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Picture: Supplied