Learners and their stories, made visible in art,
WCED Visual Art Prize Giving at the Iziko South African National Gallery Annexe
Media images and interview requests, please contact:
Zikhona Jafta on 021 481 3838 or at mediaofficer@iziko.org.za
Enquiries, please contact:
Betsie Strydom on 021 514 6762 or at betsie.strydom@westerncape.gov.za
Iziko Museums of South Africa, in collaboration with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), last night opened the exhibition: STORIES – a showcase of works by learners from the Metro Central District. The event included the category winners’ announcements and prize-giving. The exhibition is a celebration of the achievements of learners in the field of visual arts.
The evening was opened by both Mr Hylton Arnolds, Director of Education for Iziko Museums, and by Ms Sanette Nowers, Metro Central Education District Director. The importance of the visual arts in education was emphasised by guest speaker, Ms Karen Dudley. Touching on the theme of ‘Every Picture Tells a Story’, she said: “They have taught us how to read without using words.”
Prizes and trophies were awarded in three categories: Foundation, Intermediate and Senior Phase of the CAPS curriculum.
In the Foundation Phase: Amelia Fataar from the Peter Clarke Art Centre; Tristan Mouries from Kouberg Primary School; Mikaeel Moosa from the Peter Clarke Art Centre; and Busisiwe Magwa from the Children’s Art Centre were awarded trophies and certificates for their excellent work interpreting the theme of ‘Every Picture Tells a Story’.
The Intermediate Phase recipients were: Zaib Amlay from the Peter Clarke Art Centre; Milla Joubert from Laerskool Jan van Riebeeck; Roxanne Redcliffe from the Peter Clarke Art Centre; and Joshua-Lee Lamour from Thornton Primary School.
The Senior Phase winners: Aqeel Gordon from the Dominican Grimley School; Sisipho Saunders for the Children’s Art Centre; Karen Bosman from Rusteberg Girls High School; Zola Dingiswayo from Langa High School; Manina Viljoen – for both her three-dimensional and two-dimensional work – from Rustenberg Girls High School; Tayla Swan, also from Rustenberg Girls High School; Mia Kruger from the Peter Clarke Art Centre; and Jade Wakeford from Camps Bay High School were commended for their excellence in interpreting the theme through visual art.
STORIES has encouraged and provided learners with the opportunity to display their artworks, their stories by means of colour, line, shape, form, texture and perspective – a true celebration of learners and their stories, made visible in art.
STORIES also encourages learners to read – to lose themselves in the magic of a book, to be transported to new places, to meet new characters, to be enthralled by a captivating story. By means of art, we can be sure that a learner reads for meaning – a learner not only reads, but makes sense of the story, internalises the story, and interprets the story by creating their own works of art.
Learners under the GET Band, between Grade R to Grade 9; and learners in Special Needs Schools were invited to submit artworks for the exhibition – of any medium, and in any style. The work could depict the learner’s own life story (or aspects thereof); it could be based on aspects of an existing story, song, poem or play; or it could interpret characters, themes, messages, and moods derived from a story of their choice. The work could also be based on a play-on-words of the theme – such as “a long story short”, “a tall story”, “once upon a time”, “the story of my life”, “bedtime stories”, “one more story”, “it’s a long story”, “and so the story goes”, “let me tell you a story”, and “a picture is worth a million words” – to mention just a few.
STORIES is on show Monday to Friday from 09:00 until 16:00 at the Iziko South African National Gallery Annexe, St Johns Road, Cape Town, and runs until 30 September 2019.
ENDS
Issued by: Ellen Agnew
Communications Coordinator: Iziko Museums of South Africa
Telephone: 021 481 3830 Email: eagnew@iziko.org.za
Website: www.iziko.org.za
Issued on behalf of the Office of the CEO, Iziko Museums of South Africa
All images taken by Nigel Pamplin. © Iziko Museums of South Africa.
About Iziko Museums of South Africa (Iziko)
Iziko operates 11 national museums, the Planetarium and Digital Dome, the Social History Centre and three collection‑specific libraries in Cape Town. The museums that make up Iziko have their own history and character, presenting extensive art, social and natural history collections that reflect our diverse African heritage. Iziko is a public entity and public benefit organisation that brings together these museums under a single governance and leadership structure. The organisation allows *free access to all individuals on commemorative days, (*excluding the Castle of Good Hope, Groot Constantia and Planetarium and Digital Dome). Visit our webpage at www.iziko.org.za, join our online community on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IzikoMuseums), Instagram (@izikomuseumssa) or follow us on Twitter (@Iziko_Museums) for regular updates on events, news and new exhibitions.
