22.9 – 22.10 2012
12 artists exploring their own vision of Swaziland & opening our eyes to alternative realities.
EXHIBITION OPENING SPEECH
By Treasure Maphanga
It is a great pleasure and honour to be here this evening. I must admit that I have been as curious as you are to see this exhibition so I will take care to be brief. Why I agreed to speak tonight was because I am particularly proud of the achievements of Aleta, Peter, Dane because they symbolise to me an act of courage in these challenging time, that is to create an open space for artists to find their individual and collective voice in this time of great fear and love. There is the Armstrong family, the greater family of artists and the visitors to the exhibition that are a part of this important experience. What I love is the inclusive approach to nurturing talent, wherever it comes from whether it is the south of Swaziland, Mbabane or Siteki.
I have been away from home for a couple of years, and what has struck me is how so much change has taken place. We are certainly a nation that is looking for answers to some pretty serious issues, how to overcome HIV and Aids, droughtless famine, new family structures, dealing with a consumer society and a place where Churches have been businesses as well. I would imagine that the subject matter is extremely rich for talented artists to portray this dynamic complexity. We are also a country that is a hidden gem in the world, still one of the most beautiful places to live. It is a country where I want my children to grow up because there is so much to learn, and we still have an element of safety that our neighbours across the border do not have.
I do not mean that all the challenges are new, but what I am pleased about is that people are speaking out more openly about what they see, think and feel. A society that lacks artistic expression is one similar to people walking around with Band Aids stuck on their lips. As a community of human beings we need to share, we need to speak in the universal language of art. Stories are wonderful when told by our grandmothers; the only trouble is that your grandmother may not speak a language that I can understand. So, the role of contemporary art is to forge a common language where we can have space to agree, disagree whilst valuing the differences that we have. It is also important that the themes and issues speak to me living here today so that I can identify with them and find them relevant to the issues that I grapple with every day.
I have always admired artists and creative people because they often transcend the normal boundaries of fear to express themselves and to speak to us invisible people. As human being like all of us I imagine they must exercise some self/censorship and not wish to scare people away. Learning tolerance and mutual understanding will be increasingly important as people in Swaziland find words, shapes and colours to express how they feel about the country.
As the country is on the edge of a precipice we need to think of who will help us to dismantle stereotypes or remove walls that we put up between us everyday. We need to think of who will put up a mirror to our collective face? Who will help to define the changing beliefs, values and ideas? Who will help us to capture the mood, spirit of this time/ this time of searching for new horizons, searching for how we got to this place, we need artists, as much as we need doctors, nurses, construction workers, teachers and other workers. What inspires me is the energy and talent here and the amount of work, time, love that has gone into the works displayed. In Swaziland we sometimes miss the point, when we want to determine who is the best sculptor, watercolour painter, and so on. The main point is to promote the profession, and create a possibility that artists could make a decent living from their work. With the support of the business community, the diplomatic community, and ordinary people like you and I, we can enable creative industries to thrive even during difficult times. As the art is relevant to our existence and our collective experience, it becomes the legacy that we will leave for future generations.
I have been working for a UN organisation called the International Trade Centre. We have tools that monitor the level of trade between countries, and many other interesting trends. One of the interesting business growth areas is in creative industries. In developed countries some towns and cities are defining themselves differently in order to capture tourists. It will be a great day when artists are consulted when we put up new buildings, hotels, etc. I think their message tends to speak louder and longer.
The exhibition is an expression of 12 artists, whose visions are depicted through their work. What is obviously striking is the diversity of the works, and also of the artists themselves. The idea of embracing something that is different and new, is part of learning and growing. I am struck by the fact an art exhibition can evoke such a sense of heaviness of heart, as well as hope and inspiration at the same time.
The exhibition is a story of who or what Swaziland is today.
Treasure T. Maphanga
21 September 2011.