Yinka Shonibare MBE | English Artist from Nigeria

Please take a look at our best English Artist;

http://video.pbs.org/video/1281770054?starttime=292000

The Golden Ratio

and here is an interesting music video on the same subject:

ERIA SANE NSUBUGA | UGANDAN ARTIST

Sane has just set up his own web blog:


"Sane is an artist, painter, and a likes to do stuff related to politics. Why? Because Africans are obsessed with being Leaders. Everyone wants to be King and no one wants to be the servant.."

Here is his blog: SANE'S DEMOCRAZED AFRICA | http://sanesdemocrazedafrica.blogspot.com

Consciousness into 2012

These are the voices of our time. Whether I agree with them or not is debatable but I am certainly interested and hearing them, especially when others are considering ancient cultures and primitive spirituality.

YOU MAKE ME FEEL BY ARCHIVE

IMAGINATION FLYING

Dolphins

Tribute to Nature

ARTIST & SINGER HOURIA NIATI

Humpback Whales

.

Dolphins Playing

x

Human & Dolphin Together

Thanks.

The Light of the World | The Man of Reason

I wondered what you thought of this man's thinking? He seems to echo the work and voices of our times...

Is this man a madman or a Guru here on earth? I would hate to crucify the messenger and not hear the voice of reason.

He speaks so gently and so kindly he makes me think the impossible is so possible.

This thinking will open up your minds in order to receive all the goodness and wonder of the world. We instinctively reach out to others in distress and the good will always overcome the bad. In this man saying there is NO HELL, he has automatically won my respect. He has saved us completely from falling into the pit of emptiness and gives us a reason to keep going. Have a listen.

Accidental Interview with Eria Sane Nsubuga from Entebbe, Uganda

2:32pmMe

Hiya

2:33pmEria

Hi Joe, how are you?

2:33pmMe

I am busy thinking 

about Education

about African Literature

and Art

Tell what to write about?

You need to feed me

otherwise I will be talking out of turn.

As an artist

which Movement do you belong to

if any?

2:36pmEria

Nice, what to write about? The fact that visual and creative growth among really young kids is a bit lacking..we spend too much time getting our kids academically educated but not enough time getting them creatively educated. Right now, I am not in any movement. I am just trying to find my place in the world..

2:37pmMe

There is a book that is about to be published

entitled Kumasi Realism

by a Ghanaian man Mister Atti.

That is a real breakthrough

as it is in the title

Realism

from an African writer

rather than a white man in England

2:39pmEria

yeah, that's actually the most widely acceptable style; Realism.

2:39pmMe

Why not write a book about Kampala Post-Impressionist

or Entebbe Post-Independent Painters

How will it all break down

I wonder?

2:40pmEria

But I am often confused about this term Realism: does it only relate to how one paints a subject and makes it as close to reality as possible? Or should it be the message being transmitted that should be the important thing?

2:41pmMe

Realism refers to

the message I believe...

so a realist painter would be Goya

for example

more political than imaginative;

more angry than creative.

2:42pmEria

haha, nice. Entebbe Post-independence art sounds a bit like an oxymoron. We never got Independence. The Colonialists just changed address. Everything, even in a rough and watered down version, remained..

2:43pmMe

Interesting

2:43pmEria

haha..more angry than creative..Goya. that's funny.

2:43pmMe

How would you like to be seen in the future?

As you will inevitably been seen somewhere..

Sane Art maybe?

How about the Sane Artists?

You will need to set up an art school

and have a generation to follow you

and your works.

2:45pmEria

you know, I think Art in Uganda needs a lot of publicity, and a book would help. wow!SANE artists sounds good however that would be vain of me to name other artists after myself, which would be false. I think the Africans must just refuse to be classed according to a measure we do not even really understand.

2:46pmMe

That is so true

because nobody really went to school

as there are no art colleges

to mention

Just a fraction of a University.

I find this in all places

it maybe by accident

but I don't think so...

I think it was on purpose

as the Leaders

do not like the freedom of thought

as they are usually military men.

2:48pmEria

hehehe, a fraction of a University....do i need to be in any movement? Naive Art, Stupid Art, Black Art, African Art. All that carries unfair expectations on African Painters

2:48pmMe

True

but it is up to you to change that

and talk for the

future

rather than being defined by someone like me

So I ask you

again

what should I write?

I am empty over here...

2:50pmEria

politically correct african artists are expected to ignore the real issues and just paint giraffes and beautiful flowers and pretend that their generally poor lives are all blissful..

2:50pmMe

I have no idea what I am doing!

2:51pmMe

I understand they are numerous

problems Sane but the voice

must be coming out

of Africa

not out of my basement in Royal Tunbridge Wells

don't you agree?

2:52pmEria

Africa's lost too. We don't know what we are doing? If I was painting for the future, i would be testing the limits and limitations of African Art, not just trying to survive off my art. I would be pushing for new affordable media like animal refuse in art and architecture rather than mimicking European Art..

2:54pmMe

I understand

and I am suggesting we break you up into affordable shares

so somebody can have your left eye

for example

and somebody can own your big toe

so I want to sell you to the Business Community of Uganda

as their most valuable asset

You should be Traded on

and allowed to exist

comfortably

and the business world can feel that have their pound of flesh

so to speak.

2:56pmEria

You are actually the right person. Just look at your hand. That colour gets things done everywhere. A black man in this world is still generally ignored. This will happen up to a point when we stand up and discard all these silly things being imposed on us. One example is, if the Colonialists so believed in Democracy in Africa, why did they never ever ever try it with us? Why didn't they ask us whether we would agree for them to divide Africa up on European lines? Stuff like that..

2:57pmEria

i did not get the last part about promoting me to Ugandans..

2:57pmMe

I wanted to turn you into

an affordable share option

and trade you on a market

like the footballers do

The asset is changing

no longer the oil

and gold

but the talent.

The talent 

can be Traded!

Like a slave market

or sorts....

ugly I know

but that is the way of the world!

3:00pmMe

Am I making any sense yet?

3:00pmEria

Art is the most fundamental aspect of any creative developing economy, because the creative side questions why we import Japanese cars, forks and knives, Chinese needles, make our coins in Europe, why we import our cups, plates, shoes, shirts, trousers, watches, radios, books, musical instruments, pcs, virtually everything and make or export almost nothing. art is one the future exports here and yet our people and Government never support us...

3:02pmEria

We could be the ones pushing new ideas for bathtubs, cisterns, cooking utensils and so on, yet nothing like that even brushes our minds..

3:02pmMe

Yes indeed

but your silence is killing you.

Books should be written

on just this subject

intelligently drop an intellectual bomb on the Nation.

The psyche of the nation

is sick

it believes in everybody else

but itself.

3:04pmEria

You know people here would rather buy a cheap Chinese poor quality, printed artwork on a plastic fame than look at our 'african' art. I think we should really rename it. This art has been rejected by the people because it does not really solve everyday problems of the people. The poor abused Chinese needle maker is more relevant than me in my own country.

I am ashamed to live like this. As an unappreciated dreamer 'artist'!

3:05pmMe

please please

write your thoughts down

as a testimony to history

dreaming is fine

but writing is far healthier

I will post all your thoughts online

All you need to do is write them out

3:07pmEria

i like that statement..writing is far healthier. I am trying to.

3:07pmMe

intelligently

In short bursts

continue to write in short bursts

and it will come out

of you

naturally....

3:08pmEria

Like a sprinter..

3:08pmMe

Exactly

3:09pmEria

I have a whole lot of half written thoughts on Africa..unconnected..

3:10pmMe

People want your thoughts on your work

not my thoughts on your work

get the balance

right;

just write.

Write out the thoughts along with your work.

They can be as random

as you like.

You words are Art too

and it goes so beautiful with the work.

Make it short and to the point

but make the connection with your work

occasionally.

Otherwise you will be seen as unwise and insane

3:12pmEria

That sounds good. Then why don't you write on East African Art? Along with the East African Artists

3:12pmMe

Let us just start with you and your art

Sanity in Africa

3:14pmMe

Just start a blog

and I'll connect it mine

and when you are happy with the blog

then publish it through blurb.com

and sell it out to your friends. Simple.

3:15pmEria

aha. Show me how to do a blog please

3:15pmMe

And you may make a few pennies but you will have achieved everything you desired

and maybe your book will be on the Curriculum of tomorrows world

and then what will your family members say then?

3:16pmEria

hahaha. i would be relevant at last. Africans always valued the teacher..always..

3:17pmMe

how about that

go and get a free blog and call it Sanity in Africa

and start putting your work up

and writing randomly around the world

in short bursts

otherwise people will not read it

as they are lazy

and unable to think these days!

3:19pmEria

People tend to like short stuff these days. I like the concept of 'Democrazy' in Africa...

3:19pmMe

Ask those that have bought your work to buy your book.

Make it more about you

Sane

Sanity

INsane Africa

Inside the mind of the Sane.

Insane out; Upsane down

but put yourself in the picture

Stop being selfless,

there is really no need.

3:21pmEria

hahaha. That sounds like lyrics for a song.

3:21pmMe

God favours the brave and the drunken sailor too

3:22pmEria

hahaha..funny..

3:22pmMe

You will witness magic

the minute you

have faith

in yourself

so busy yourself

writing

be with the word

for the word is

with you

so write......

3:23pmEria

good good

I am writing this blog, I don't know how but I AM...

3:25pmMe

And I will support you all the way.

3:25pmEria

Thanks..

3:25pmMe

After all that is my insane job!

3:26pmEria

So what are you going to write on East Africa's Literature and Art?

3:26pmMe

Nothing, for I have been told about nothing so nothing will be written

again today

3:26pmEria

hahaha

Your mind is blank?

3:27pmMe

ya

3:28pmEria

I don't think so. It's just jammed becoz of too much info and stuff flowing in your basement....

3:28pmMe

Maybe I should show you how

I think it should work...

How it can be done

for free

and you then have the power

of the word

and you too can be fed

by the world

I am beginning to understand

once more...

Thank you for praying and saying so little..

Bless you and all who are like you.

3:31pmEria

Yeah? You are welcome!

Lord David Puttnam

I wanted you all to listen to one of the worlds greatest thinkers and speakers about Eduction;


Lord David Puttnam



Please take a look at what he is saying.

DAN BOHANE

We are celebrating the undiscovered in the UK. I would like to bring to you an artist. An artist working for the Greater Good. Dan Bohane..the suggestion was given to me by Herman. What can the African Artist do to compete?

Dan Bohane from the UK..

Sand Art by Kseniya Simonova from Ukraine

The Accident Artist.....I am and you are......

So compelled to speak out!

The Accidental Artists.

Not the Dot..co.uk. Dot com or org..but the World wide web of today...........

Give Me Your Eyeballs.

Dear China, America, Russia and Europe,

Here is a message from the African Artists:

Give me your word.

Give me your word.

Give me your word.

Give me your word.

Give me your word.

Give me your word.

Give me your word.

Give me your word.

Give me your word.

GIVE ME YOUR FOOKiNG WORD.

Then break it!

JP. Somewhere on earth with Internet connection....

African Lovers

My dear Africa,

You are a gift from God.
Have faith.
Not in me but in yourselves.

Letters write.

Let us A.
Letters B.
Letters C.

Leave us be and you'll soon see.

Africa has awoken.


.
JP. ONLINE AFRICA

Let us Pray.

Letters pray they understand us today.
Let us pray they understand and start thinking.

Letters are the keys my dears.
With big ears my dears;
the l e t t e r s are the keys.

Will you let us use these keys?
Unlock every door for
the word is we us.

We have the power of the word.
The word is now with us.
We have the power of the world.
The world is now with us.

So let us write all night.
Letters from everywhere.
Out of sight. Out of here.
Out of there and everywhere.
Let us write. Letters right.

Give us this day our daily letter.
And give all those that have come before us.
The benefit of doubt.
And the luxury of thinking.

And leads us not into temptation but into redemption.

We have the right to exist alright.
We know the power of this word.
We know the power of this world.

JP. Thinking Online in Africa.

Let us play. Letters write.

Deconstruct and reconstruct, deconstruct the word.
Deconstruct and reconstruct, deconstruct the word.
Deconstruct and reconstruct, deconstruct the word.

Reconstruct and deconstruct, reconstruct the world.

JP. Accidental Artist Online on earth.

The Power of the Word

The word is out. The word is out. The word is coming out.
The secret is in the word and the word is getting out.
Getting out there, the word is getting out there.

The power is in your word; these letters that I write.
The power is in your word; these letters that I write.
Getting out there, the word is getting out there.

And the word and the world are with you.

Bless you and you and you and you.

Love from Royal Tunbridge Wells. X


JP. In an Internet Cafe in Africa.

Zimbabwean Art by Stephen Garanan'ga

Zimbabwean Art Legacy Firmly Secure 

By Stephen Garanan'ga

The country's art legacy is truly secure in the custodianship of the current crop of the young and upcoming artists who never seize to amaze when it comes to creativity.

They have the nerve and conviction to uphold the international success and legendary excellence of executing the reputation that the country's modern art has been riding on  long before donkeys lost their horns.

Football Fans by Itai Vangani | Acrylic On Canvas

It has since continued to be a thread of inspiration invested in today's young master practitioners who undoubtedly are highly alert that dismounting is not an option. The high recommendations that one hears from across continents where Zimbabwean artists have graced is incredible. In Zimbabwe art is very serious, it is survival, it is a career of choice that allows what is inside to rise to the surface and what is felt to be revealed.

Making a work of art should be something the artists want and are compelled to do, something which can be done in "that uncertain time before the morning" when blood sugar and the conscious mind are at their lowest ebb. Among young visual artists the current common phrase is "ari sei mabasa", a widely spoken national Zezuru language translation meaning; " how's work and life in these torrid times?" - a concession to the economic times in which we live. Their artworks being made through dire necessity have much to say and create a direct link between art and contemporary Zimbabwean society. The young artists offer a gritty face to issues that are bursting out to be heard, be they social, political, aesthetic or economic. They are streetwise witnesses to our time and ask us to introspect and face realities affecting us. Their work will be used as a point of reference in the future to tell Zimbabwe’s story through the artists’ eyes. For years art has played an integral part in creating harmony and encouraging reflections on social identity.

Today, we live in an environment of career moves, options, choices, but we also realize we are only  one of many for any opportunity around. Solid grounds have given way to shifting sand, companies come and go like ships in the night. So many people run their offices ‘on the move’ through their cell phones, in the internet cafes, even on the streets. There is something reassuring about art materials, which in stable marriage with the mind can become an imposing sculpture, a painting or a mixed media which can sell, and allow us to earn at least a little bit - a small portion of our living. So rather than a vocation, or something to whittle away the time, in Zimbabwe, art is a conscious career choice, a career path without the bumps and pitfalls and roadblocks of more orthodox career choices bound up with pieces of paper, caps and gowns, certificates, small bronze statue, redundancy packages and letters saying ‘sorry, the job is taken’.

Stuborn by Mambakwedza Mutasa

A few tonnes of stone or scrap metal, paints and canvases or various other materials give the artists ‘tenure’ for a couple of years, the cost of an e-mail attracts the overseas market, and one does not need a diploma to prove one is a good artist.

What do works of art lead to? The young artists might be lured away from what is on the ground for the successful artists, a steady income, a steady job, a creative and fulfilling life by dreams and high flying schemes of travels and fame and fortune. Many are called and few are chosen.

What one needs to do is to limber up the creative imagination, train the mind to work with the various art materials to generate ideas and, train the mind to observe what is taking place in the immediate environment. It is equally important to nurture the eye to appreciate the beauties of nature, and exert the brain to recall a cultural heritage, full fathoms five deep with spiritual associations, a cultural heritage with unwritten rules about family and marriage, and the harmonious and conciliatory operation of society.

Not all climes where artworks go are sunny. An artist may find himself in the everlasting dark of a Nordic winter, borne down by layers of clothing, lips chapped by biting wind, hacking away at granite with chilblained hands. Artists themselves are opening studios and "arts centers" so that young artists can benefit from less formal more hands on training. Young artists who travel do not do so "on spec" so that they end up washing dishes, the elderly or the dog, and return home with nothing. Young artists who travel give workshops, attend exhibitions, meet other artists, and come home with more abilities, more social skills than they had before they left home. In Zimbabwe today the arts are the young persons oyster and many young people choose carefully - and choose the arts even if they are not 'called' to the arts as a profession.

The arts are now a respectable profession and collectively speaking they are an industry and a rapidly growing industry at that, gathering all sorts of professional sectors into their thrall. 

Closer to home the young artists are running havoc in both private and national exhibiting spaces, cementing their young custodianship of the country's art future. In a three month long national group exhibition opened in May 2010 titled "Live 'n' Direct", more than 80% of art pieces on the audacious contemporary art show were masterminded by the young creative minds.

The first and second prizes rewarded to artists for their outstanding artworks on the adjudicated exhibition were scooped by the young blood, Gareth Nyandoro and Misheck Masamvu respectively.

Gareth Nyandoro is a young tenacious mixed media specialist who appears to be on a critical lookout timelessly when he is on his errands. He is highly alert of his materials that seem to scatter all over the cityscapes. His pieces mostly are wired, tied with fish-line, silk, thread, nailed and sometimes glued on aged highly rusted and rotting metal objects and discarded timber. Strips of split electrical cables and discarded fragments of technology too assist in his constructions.

Untitled by Mercy Moyo  

Misheck Masamvu is an abstract painter whose work is first and foremost about the use of paint, about giving paint its reign, allowing paint to be part of the process of painting, to almost have its own ideas about what it wants to do and where it wants to go. Other recently held outstanding art exhibitions by the future major artists include respective solo shows by painters Admire Kamudzengerere at Gallery Delta Foundation for the arts and humanities, Tonely Ngwenya at Richard Rennie Gallery, Percy Manyonga at the Doon Estate Gallery, an exhibition celebrating the art of print-making at Dzimbanhete Arts Interactions and the list is endless.

Internationally, from Cerncice Gallery in the Czech Republic to Korea Foundation Cultural Center in Soeul, The Republic of Korea amongst other numerous places across continents, the story about the greatness of Zimbabwean fine-art is like an extract from the same book. In rural Zimbabwe where majority of the young artists are stone sculptors, the day starts with sculpture rather than the bus to go to the city and pay the rent. For a bath take fresh stream water - not tub, for breakfast take fruits not bread and tea. For material read raw stone, not what's in the trash can and the pailings falling off the back fence. For buyers forget e-mail, wait for the 4x4 to drive up the dirt road. The family is not a single mother or father coping with the kids but an extended family, the grandmother making her pots and the old men talking the day away under a tree.

The rural sculptors get their stones first-hand from the mine rather than off another sculptor's truck the left-overs of the deal. They get time to know the shape and textures of a stone, rather than "make do" with a stone they are uncertain of. In these bush settings, sculptors do not sculpt in a back yard filled with empty bottles, take away left-overs and playing children. Each sculptor has their own "little acre" - their personal and professional space. As these sculptors lock their cell phones, restore the sanctity to their marriages and browse the raw stones at length, sculpting becomes a way of life, to be pursued when sales are not there. That's the mind set of today's young generation of contemporary artists who are to jealously guard the legacy that has been left behind by their old masters.