Hotels from around the world are no longer just buying bland prints to hang on the walls but are investing in stunning contemporary artworks which inspire and transport the traveller and/or tourist. On the hotel premises guests can learn about Eswatini local culture through local artwork. It enhances a hotel’s brand serving as a compelling visual narrative that helps guests understand and remember who they are as this further gives them a sense of place.
Hilton Garden Inn, Mbabane has embraced this creative narrative by commissioning artwork in 2022 from over 25 local artists through Yebo Art Gallery. Working in partnership with Yebo Art Gallery a selection of sculptures, photographs, paintings and prints were bought and especially commissioned and installed in the restaurant, pre-function lobby, guest rooms corridors and meeting rooms both on the ground and first floor. This work has been warmly received by hotel guests and stakeholders alike.
Christine Ndlovu, the General Manager, said “ Hilton Garden Inn, Mbabane is excited about the collaboration between Yebo Art Gallery as it aligns with one of our Corporate Social Reasonability initiatives, which is empowering and supporting local talents. In a bid to enhance our guests’ experience, last year, we had artwork installed throughout the various sections of the hotel and this has been positively received by our guests, local and from abroad. We look forward to working with the Gallery in showcasing more delightful pieces of art done by our local artists.
An exciting new development for 2023 is that Hilton has offered a gallery space in their lobby to Yebo Art Gallery to display works by emerging and professional artists. Aleta Armstrong, the curator for Yebo said “This is an amazing opportunity for local artists, and we thank Hilton for supporting the growth of the local creative industry! We will change the works on display every 3 months. This current exhibition features work by Ray Berman, Khulekani Msweli, Phindile Mamba, Celimpilo Dlamini and Indzaba Yami cooperative. Many visitors to Eswatini may not have time to drive down to Ezulwini to view an exhibition, so we decided to bring the exhibition closer to them. We also have a poster up with a QR (quick response) code that links them with our website and Artsy, our global online partner. This way they can view all the 55 exhibitions curated by us at Yebo and thousands of paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photographs, etc. by local artists which are documented on our website. If guests wish to buy art they can access this through Artsy and we ship globally with DHL Couriers. The art scene in Eswatini is very dynamic currently and we are proud to share the amazing talent with international guests. But also, locals, not everyone is aware of what is going on in the contemporary art scene so this gives them an opportunity to view the work too.”