Artist Nwabisa Nkonyana has not allowed the Covid-19 pandemic to lock her down but instead it has given her more energy to get her hands dirty and her paint brushes busy producing thought-provoking murals.
Recently commissioned by Zibonele FM to do its mural, Nwabisa did wonders capturing the sign of times with a portrait of a woman wearing a mask.
“Art is social commentary and it can be said artists are commentators,” she said.
At the last count Nwabisa has created 33 murals in spaces across the Cape Flats, the latest being at Crossroads where she painted scenes from the 1986 women’s march to parliament.
Now with Covid-19 lock-down regulations being eased, Nwabisa and her colleagues are looking forward to the grand opening of Khayelitsha Africa Creative Hub scheduled for the second week of October in Makhaza.
The centre which is run by a group of entrepreneurs, emerging artists will cater for art and technology and one of its kind in the area. It currently runs visual art classes for 62 young children but there is a scope to add more subjects. The centre was opened by a group of entrepreneurs and emerging artists.
“We strive to bring a safe space for children to learn and perform extramural activities and after-school programmes that are art, financial literacy and technology related. It is a center that was innovated by a group of young experienced and passionate art lovers who want to bring nothing but quality art from marginalized communities to the world. Its aim is to bring together artists, art lovers, art buyers and art collectors in one spirit,” she said.
If you would like to help the centre contact artistic director Nwabisa on 074 9477 436 or email afri.creativehub@gmail.com