Rolls-Royce meets Ndebele brilliance: South Africa’s renowned creative artist, Dr Esther Mahlangu will unveil the ‘Mahlangu’ Rolls-Royce Phantom at The Melrose Gallery in Cape Town. She becomes the first South African artist to have been commissioned to create a painting for the ‘Gallery’ inside a new Phantom
Art
Arts and Culture Self-appointed custodian in Netherlands returns priceless Ethiopian crown
After more than two decades of keeping it hidden in his Netherlands home, Dutch-Ethiopian national Sirak Asfaw has revealed an 18th century Ethiopian crown. He came forward in an effort to have it repatriated to his home country now that it is under a progressive regime.
Arts and Culture Ghana’s copyright law for folklore hampers cultural growth
New regulations on the use of folklore are a hindrance to local artists.
Arts and Culture SA artist Percy Maimela breaks Guinness World Record for largest coffee sketch
South African artist Percy Maimela broke the Guinness World Record for the largest artwork made from coffee. The artist created a picture of his compatriot, DJ Black Coffee using nothing but ground coffee in a remarkable feat.
Africans rising Wangechi Mutu unveils first installation of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s façade in 117-years
Designed by Richard Morris Hunt and completed in 1902, the American Metropolitan Museum of Art’s facade features four niches intended to house free-standing sculptures. 117 years later this intention has been fulfilled by Kenyan contemporary artist Wangechi Mutu with an installation dubbed, “The NewOnes, will free Us”
Africans rising South Africa’s Thebe Magugu is the first African designer to win LVMH prize worth €300,000
26 year-old Thebe Magugu is the first African to win the prestigious LVMH prize. The fashion talent prize comes with a €300,000 cash award, and includes a year of “technical and financial support” from the luxury giant. The South African designer was part of 1,700 applicants from 100 countries who applied for the LVMH prize.
Arts and Culture Destination Festivals: Bayimba International Festival of the Arts in Uganda
Uganda boasts of a thriving music scene, and the multidisciplinary Bayimba International Festival of the Arts recently held in Lunkulu Island serves to bolster the various art forms. The four-day event has become an important platform for the consumption, and authentic experience of various exciting artistic acts.
Arts and Culture The most influential American author of her generation, Toni Morrison’s writing was radically ambiguous
In her creative and critical work, Toni Morrison sought to remap the contours of American literature and culture.
Lifestyle “Black is Beautiful” proponent Kwame Brathwaite: Photography to restore Black pride
Kwame Brathwaite is a documentary photographer who chronicled the cultural, political and social developments of Harlem and co-founded the African Jazz Art Society and Studios. He staged a series of pageants that featured only black models, which helped popularise the phrase “Black Is Beautiful”. This is also the title of his upcoming book.