Pretoria - South African crafts have been a hit at Art Santa Fe in New Mexico, in the United States, says the Department of Small Business Development.
Santa Fe is known to host international art markets and this year Art Santa Fe celebrated its fifteenth successful fair, offering an all-encompassing experience that included a high class mix of excellent contemporary galleries from all over the globe, cutting edge art installations, and emerging artists and dealers.
Kenneth Robert Nkosi, one of the South African crafters earned R75 000 by selling three of his artworks within the first 15 minutes of the market opening. “The art market here is huge and is indeed a life changing experience,” said Nkosi.
Nkosi’s work is made of various collages using different fabrics to create a different form of art. This form of art intrigues most international buyers as they have never seen such a technique in a uniquely South African style. He makes portraits using pieces of material from Seshoeshoe to nylon.
Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe, who is leading the delegation to the art market, said that South African artwork continues to be popular.
“The buyers here have no time to complain about the price, for as long they like the product, they buy without hesitation. The artwork from South Africa is new and fresh to their eyes, it is just fascinating and that’s why they can’t stop talking about South Africa,” said the Deputy Minister on Tuesday.
Pauline Mazibuko, a collagist, said that South African products are loved abroad.
“What we do here in three days is far better than what we can achieve in more than a month back home, sometimes even more than half a year. It is just incredible, they love our products. Thanks to the South African government for supporting us,” she said.
Mazibuko primarily uses magazines and other paper materials to tell South African stories. Small fine pieces of magazines and newspaper cuttings are used to create new forms of artwork depicting ordinary people in their daily lives. – SAnews.gov.za
