Durban - Whether it’s a chandelier with a difference or a bold painting making a statement, an exhibition of Durban art at The Plant is featuring the work of more than 20 artists from across the city.
The exhibition, Intellectual Property 2017, opened on Thursday night with the centrepiece being “The Block”, made up of work from 36 artists. It has gone on silent auction and the winning bid will be announced today.
Exhibition organiser Robin Opperman, from Umcebo Designs, said the exhibition was a celebration of Durban creativity, featuring dozens of Durban-based artists, craft-makers and jewellers.
“We want to show a slice of the creativity we have here in KwaZulu-Natal. We want a lively and viable creative sector in our province and to stop haemorrhaging to Joburg and Cape Town. There are opportunities here in Durban to monetise our creativity, and we hope this exhibition will help artists network and support each other,” said Opperman.
Umcebo Designs are showcasing their sought-after chandeliers, while there are also chandeliers made out of jigsaw puzzles and maps by Denise Keegan.
And while “The Block” is a combined effort of artists, taking collaborative art to the next level are Radmer Lenasch and Tatum Robinson from the South Coast.
Their project, Art-Go-Round, features artworks that have been painted by different artists, each adding their own depth and style to the piece.
Lenasch said: “I saw collaborative projects overseas, but I have not seen it here in South Africa.
“We want to start a conversation and an in-depth exploration of the creative process. This makes you realise that we need fewer boundaries and to connect more. Art helps us to create together, and humanity has an innate need to create.”
Their showpiece Umoya was painted by Lenasch, Wonderboy Gumede and Dawn Morey over 24 hours. The final result was totally unplanned and is mixed media of acrylic and oil.
Lenasch said he started working on collaborative art when he was in South Korea in 2014, after which he and Robinson took the concept to India, along with exhibitions and live painting.
“Umoya was painted at The Castle in Pietermaritzburg over 24 hours.
"There is no roof on The Castle and it was just an incredible setting. This piece is unique,” he said.
The couple have also been involved with public canvasses and live painting, including one at the recent Essence Festival where close to 150 people added to an artwork in one day.
The Intellectual Property 2017 exhibition is open until 1pm today at The Plant, Station Precinct, 5 Station Drive.