Mining Artwork Exhibition: Mining through the eyes of South African Artists

13 Feb Mining Artwork Exhibition: Mining through the eyes of South African Artists

The IDC established an Art Gallery in 2010 to provide a platform for emerging artists to showcase their work. The gallery is managed through the Corporate Social Investment department, and is aligned with the department’s mandate to support social and economic development of youth. Leading up to the Mining Indaba 2019, the gallery had a special edition of exhibition themed ‘Mining through the eyes of South African Artists’, which ran from 28 January to 08 February. The exhibition was done in partnership with AllThings & EveryThing (MINING) Co and brought together different artists who shared their perspectives of the mining industry in South Africa.

The exhibition also brought meaningful conversations on the impact of mining industries in our mining communities, socio-economic landscape and heritage. IDC‘s Corporate Affairs Divisional Executive, Ms Zama Luthuli gave an overview of the purpose of the exhibition. The mixed showcase of selected artwork included work from internationally acclaimed ‘mining artist’, Jeannette Unite. Unite’s practice as an environmentally conscious artist primarily focusses on mining. Another artist, self-taught Ennock Mlangeni, was happy to participate in the exhibition, “I live art, I breathe art, art is my life, I focus on creating investment art,” he said.

IDC’s investment in this initiative aims to springboard access to markets and new networks for artists, while also channelling a discourse through art. In 2018 Ennock, was featured the South Africa Artist Magazine and was interviewed on SABC news, for his portrait in tribute to Winnie Madikizela Mandela. His dream is to have his own studio and start an art academy for young people who aspire to become artists. His achievements to date are commendable and continue to be an inspiration.  Millandrie Molotsi, the youngest exhibitor aged 20, is also a self- taught artist, her works is abstract with a focus on portraits and minimalistic line art, “I had an amazing experience throughout, in a short time frame I was able to apply myself. IDC has exposed me to a new network and opportunities” she said. Rising talented exhibiters included Zimkhitha Mliswa, Millandrie Molotsi, Semi Lubisi, Seun Phiri and Ennock Mlangeni. The next exhibition titled “Unrooted”, opened from the 11^th of February 2018. The gallery is open to the public, from Monday – Friday.

For more information contact the gallery at gallery@idc.co.za.

Semi Lubisi, Patrick Maseko, Ennock Mlangeni, Millandrie Molotsi, Zimkhitha Mliswa, Alvin Ngwenya and Seun Phiri.	Tendani Mutshai from All Things and Everything Mining Co