Located on the edge of an indigenous green belt running through Berea, the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts (KZNSA) has a history rich in transcending cultures, communicating ideas, fostering unity and peace and catapulting local talent.
Those of us who’ve been around long enough to appreciate what the KZNSA has brought to Durban’s community, will agree that just entering the double volume building, connecting Bulwer Road to Bulwer Park, is inspiring.
The art society venue unfolds as a multifaceted platform that encourages and promotes young artists and creates a vibrant and stimulating environment. We took a walkabout with executive director Angela Shaw, who for the last 10 years has poured heart and soul into making sure this space thrives.
In its heyday – it was founded in 1905 as the Natal Society of Arts – the KZNSA had its roots in the city centre.
“You could say it was something along the lines of a gentleman’s club for art,” says Angela, pointing out that the KZNSA remains the second oldest community arts centre in the country – after the AVA Gallery in Cape Town that was founded in 1871.“It is also the only non-profit visual art organisation in Durban.”
The centre moved a few times before the society could finally afford to build its own gallery, designed as a love project by architects Cindy Walters and Michel Cohen in 1995, on the current municipal grounds in Glenwood. The project called for collaboration with local artists to reflect the vibrant creative heart of the province, and its success depended on a building that achieved maximum flexibility within a very limited budget.
“The result was a generous and beautiful space that has allowed visitors to embrace it as an ideal meeting place during the day, and a magical venue for gatherings and events under the stars,” says Angela, highlighting the galleries, Main, Mezzanine, Park and Media and a double storey gift shop, featuring the works of more than 300 local artisans, independent creators and small design practices.
There’s everything from glassware to ceramics, jewellery, homeware, gifting, stationary, selective clothing and more – all of which is also available online.
“With no barrier to entry, there is a wonderful sense of accessibility which has kept the people coming – young, old, families and friends. And there’s no need to be an art critic to find comfort or inspiration in this space,” says Angela, who adds that as long as the KZNSA continues to serve local artists, it will remain the cultural hub that it has been in its almost 120-year history.
The building’s original design included the galleries, a shop and a tea kitchen. After converting the kitchen into a full café, the venue fast became a hotspot. Angela says credit must be given to some very successful collabs, with big influencers like South African curator, artist and educator Gabi Ngcobo and Zanele Muholi a visual activist and photographer, committed to the Durban art scene.
Over the years the KZNSA has hosted the solo exhibitions of many mid-career artists from Durban, including Clive Sithole, Derrick Nxumalo, Sibusiso Duma, Thami Jali, Georgina Gratrix, Cameron Platter and Clive van den Berg. There have also been two major retrospectives of Durban legends, Marianne Meijer and Andrew Verster.
“We were honoured to host the all-female artist collective, iQhiya in 2017 as part of our Social Art Programme. This show, featuring work by Bonolo Kavula, Matlhogonolo Charity Kelapile, Bronwyn Katz, Matlhogonolo Pinky Mayeng, Thulile Gamedze, Lungiswa Gqunta, Asemahle Ntlonti, Thandiwe Msebenzi, Sethembile Msezane, Sisipho Ngodwana and Buhlebezwe Siwani, is one of the highlights from the last 10 years.
“What I’ve appreciated most is that time has seen us embrace cultural, psychological and economic freedom within the local art space. Sadly though, a reality for most Durban artists operating is that they ‘don’t exist’ to the art industry unless they are seen at national forums. Without funding it is difficult for us to provide opportunities to them, like invitational exhibitions and representation at art fairs. In fact, public funding in South Africa has reached such a state of crisis that it also makes it difficult to cover the overheads and keep the doors open,” says Angela, who admits that closure of the KZNSA would have an enormous negative impact on the creative economy of Durban and KZN, and on the livelihoods of thousands of local artists and crafters. Challenging this lack of visibility has become her passion project, and Angela would love to see more people visit the KZNSA to rediscover this inspiring location.
For those who’ve not been or visited in a while, the KZNSA is open from 9am to 5pm Tuesdays to Fridays, 9am to 4pm on Saturdays and 9am to 3pm on Sundays. Starting this month on September 27 and running until November 10, they’re hosting A Luta Continua: Reflecting on 30 years of democracy through the Constitutional Court Art Collection. Visitors can explore the seven-week exhibition of ceramics, prints, textile, beaded installations, through walkabouts and an extensive talks programme.
“We’ve also got First Fridays (first Friday of the month) where we have extended gallery hours and stay open, with live music till 9pm. We’re currently looking at doing fun art workshops as well. There is never a dull moment here and we’d love for you to come and see it for yourself and in celebration of our incredibly talented local artists.”
Anyone wanting to donate to the organisation can do so by emailing ashaw@kznsagallery.co.za. KZNSA has an 18A status and is able to issue tax emption certificates for donations.
Details: Sign up as a member via kznsagallery.co.za or shop online at shop.kznsagallery.co.za
