The U.S. State Department’s Office of Art in Embassies has commissioned several local artists to make work for the new U.S. Embassy currently being constructed in Ezulwini. Their pieces will be part of the Embassy’s own unique art collection, designed to promote cross-cultural dialogue and mutual understanding through the visual arts.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently stated that, “For fifty years, Art in Embassies has played an active diplomatic role by creating meaningful cultural exchange through the visual arts. The exhibitions, permanent collections and artist exchanges connect people from the farthest corners of an international community … Art in Embassies cultivates relationships that transcend boundaries, building trust, mutual respect and understanding among peoples”
Secretary Kerry’s remarks are wonderfully exemplified in the case of Ezulwini, future home to one of the world’s newest diplomatic facilities. Here, in the new Embassy’s collection, the universal language of art is being used to help connect Swazi and American cultures in many interesting ways. For example, Swazi artist Bhekani Dlamini from Spoko Designs created a life size papier-mâché sculpture titled Magic Woman with Birds. Speaking about his sculpture’s message, Bhekani explained; “I chose the Ligwalagwala to represent Swaziland and the eagle for America and they are balanced in the magic woman’s hands and are saying ‘Hello!’ to each other.”
In total, the new Embassy will feature a diverse collection of over thirty artworks by renowned and emerging artists from both countries. Commenting on the new collection, Yebo Art curator Aleta Armstrong explained, “We are proud to have played a role in working with the local artists who were selected to create work for the Embassy and really look forward to seeing it all once the Embassy opens. Most of the work has been delivered, now it is just a large sculpture that should be completed by early August. A large stained glass mosaic is also planned for the public entrance of the U.S. Embassy.” The mosaic has been designed by Mari Gardner and is to be created in collaboration with the NGO Yebo ArtReach and Swazi artists over the next few months. The mosaic references Swazi and Native American design as well as elements of the local natural environment – mountains, water and wind. Armstrong went on to explain that both she and Yebo ArtReach very much, “look forward to sharing the pictures of the sculpture and mosaics when they are completed.”
For most artists, the task of making work specifically for placement in a diplomatic facility is not a regular occurrence, yet those commissioned for the project in Swaziland have welcomed the idea. For example, artist Khulekani Msweli explained, “To Everything There Is A Season, is the title to the art work that I have produced for the new U.S. Embassy in Ezulwini. The art offers a form of narrative to human existence, the various cultures and emotions that occur in our lives. It is an honour to be able to have my work as part of the U.S. Embassy art abroad collection because that allows a part of my story to be shared locally and internationally, yet also documenting and preserving an artist’s idea of a particular time. As a multi-faceted artist and designer, one yearns for more cultural, corporate or private institutions to continue investing in the arts as it is an integral part of human existence, now more than ever before, due to the fast paced changes that we are experiencing globally, the arts offers questions, pleases, amuses, interrogates, protects and at times offers refuge in uncertain times. As the U.S. Embassy has led in art promotion and development it would be a step in the right direction if Swaziland’s embassies would start acquiring and exhibiting local and international art within their institutions.”
In addition to Msweli, Catherine Dlamini, Nonzwakazi Dlamini, Phindile Mamba and Zanele Buthelezi from the Livi laBomake –Womens Voices Project were selected to create work as well. Nonzwakazi spoke on behalf of the group to say, “We are all so excited about being chosen to be part of this wonderful project! Our four pieces are called Aspects of Love. It is amazing that our work will be on permanent display at the U.S. Embassy and we are happy that many people will see our work.” Such sentiment suggests that although construction of the Embassy in Ezulwini will soon be complete, the pieces of art that are permanently installed on the walls and grounds will continue to build new ideas and conversations for many years to come.
Artists in the collection include: Aleta Armstrong, Peter Armstrong, Tiffany Bozic, Zanele Buthelezi, Bhekani Dlamini, Catherine Dlamini, Nonzwakazi Dlamini, Carol Eckert, Josh Faught, Gertud Jager, Phindile Mamba, Mari Gardner, Scott Matthews, Ray Mhishi, Siphiwe Mngometutu, Nandipha Mntambo, Khulekani Msweli, David Philpot, Valerie Piraino, Carrie Schneider, Ann Weber. The works include paintings, sculptures, photographs, fibre works, and mixed media pieces.
More information about Art in Embassies can be found at: http://art.state.gov