The Art Academy

New From the Lusaka Art Scene

After waxing lyrical on Facebook about the Henry Tayali Gallery here in Lusaka, a visiting friend decided she wanted to find out what all the fuss is about. We went over on Saturday to find that the Augustudio exhibition had ended and been replaced with a collection by well established artists. My friend was impressed and we got talking to one of the most active artists Kapotwe whose abstract and vibrant paintings are often comments on social issues facing Zambia, particularly in connection with the environment.

Kapotwe chatted with us about his process of producing a painting and how he doesn't always know when he starts, what the work will explore. He simply paints and decides from what ends up on the canvas, what the painting will depict. He then mentioned that he sculpts too and we asked to see some examples. He led us out of the gallery to some studios in another part of the Showgrounds, outside the studios were some wonderful figures and animals made from scrap metal which were by Kapotwe and fellow artist Joseph.

Promoting the Henry Tayali Gallery

The Henry Tayali gallery based here in Lusaka started an ICT workshop this week for artists to come and learn how to use ICT to promote their artwork. I talked to the group about social networking and was impressed with their level of enthusiasm.

This gallery has so much potential and could be key to growing an art scene in Lusaka, I hope to do more promotional work with them soon.

The search for art scene yields: The Visual Arts Council of Zambia

When we first moved to Zambia, the chances of finding an art scene seemed slim, wherever I looked for info I came up with nothing. Some websites and tourist info stated there were no galleries in Lusaka.

When we lived here before we used to go to a little gallery in Eastern Province, where we bought some beautiful pieces, the gallery was VAC – the visual arts council of Zambia. Logic suggested there would be one in the capital and after looking in a good old fashioned phone book, we found it.

We attended the launch of its new exhibition on Thursday for its workshop 'Augustudio'. The work on display was a mixture of painting and sculpture – stone and wood, produced by students of Evelyn Hone college – a further education institution in Lusaka. Much of the work was competently executed and there was a great variation of styles. The subjects were very much rooted in the culture and landscape of Zambia and it was fascinating to see how these young people translated their experience into art.

Art is not taught much in schools in Zambia, it's seen as no use in getting a job and it's often difficult to see how creativity is really fostered here. That's why VAC and organizations like it are so important. VAC is funded by various international bodies including a few European embassies, many of the artists volunteer for the centre. The artwork is on sale and reasonably priced.

A Tale of Two Tates - notes from my Notebook

Back to London for visa and to see husband off to Zambia. Out of laziness opted for Tates to visit.

I've always like the idea of Tate Modern, impressive building, great to see it being used again (what plans for Battersea?). Important to have a truly iconic modern art gallery in London. But Tate Modern is disappointing.

Why?

Dreary interior - grey, dark, little natural light.

Huge but poorly utilised space, massive walkways, reception areas, huge shop (of course) but little art in comparison. A floor for members only? Hmm.

Ok, building is great but does it really make good gallery? To appreciate it is to appreciate industrial design, wasn't built as a gallery unlike Guggenheims and other Tates (note to all and self - visit St. Ives!).

Didn't go to exhibitions had to pay for (doesn't tell you anywhere how much costs until you get to the floor they are on, then you have to go back to buy tickets, no thanks), just meandered. Anne Lee exhibition 'No Ghost Just a Shell' - big raspberry, trite, vapid - sometimes bad idea to let artists write, some truly awfully scripted video installations.

Pop Art room a nice find, Andy Warhols - pretty exciting to see in real life, 3 Way Plug by Claes Oldenburg a revelation - texturial, erotic, funny and overwhelming. Huge plug made from mahogany wood, hanging majestically in the space but gallery a bit pokey.

Tate Modern = tiring - no proper seats, just those weird stools that are so awkward, overcrowded

= cold!

Still love it for its flaws however, better if it tried to be less apologetic for being an art gallery and toned down the theme park aspect.

Tate Britain - now that's better.

Big spacious rooms, beautiful construction.

Places to sit!

Light!

Fascinating narrative of art through the ages in Britain. Great exhibition - 'Beating the Bounds', great work by Frank Auerbach - paint as sculpture, brilliant video installation Helen Appel, funny moving. Nice to see some Gilbert and George - have we forgotten about them?

Verdict: Tate Modern like a gritty communal shower

Tate Britain - a warm bath in a porcelain, private suite

Digbeth Art Exploration

Digbeth is an area of Birmingham full of diversity and now home to a burgeoning art scene. Yesterday I wandered around taking photos and hunting out galleries.

Walking in My Mind for the last time

This is the last week for the successful 'Walking in My Mind' exhibition at the Hayward Gallery on London's South Bank, a kind of journey into the consciousness of various exceptional modern artists. I visited the exhibition a while back and found it to be a mixed bag, as you might expect. I enjoyed the theme parkey feel to the exhibition, particularly with the works by Thomas Hischhorn's cave and Yoyoi Kusama's polka dot installation. For the most part it was an exciting and unsettling experience and was no less enjoyable for that.

I would have to say that my stand out memory was of my friend Tracey and I out on the roof of the Hayward overlooking the city as the sun went down surrounded by Kusama's polka dots. People, mainly couples, were lounging on the astro turf and I was profoundly touched at how peaceful the scene was considering Kusama's reasons for using polka dots in her work.

It is no great secret that Yoyoi Kusama started to see dots as a child and for her represent salvation and probably also sadness, for she had a very unhappy childhood. That Kusama was able to use this disturbing psychological problem as an outlet for creativity is remarkable. A great gift for us all.

I also loved the fact the gallery is open late on a Friday, there is something very special about going to a gallery in the evening and wish more galleries did this.

LINK ATTACK:
Walking in My Mind
Interview with Yoyoi Kusama

Before We Go - Plans to feed my Art Appetite

In about 2 weeks we'll be returning to Zambia, all being well bureacracy wise. Art galleries in Zambia are a little thin on the ground - 1 in Lusaka (which I hope to get involved with) a little gallery in Eastern Province, and possibly 1 or 2 craft centres dotted elsewhere.

I've been quite lax in my gallery trips since I was busy working, my one concession was frequenting the Ikon as it was very close to my place of work. Now we're back in Stoke where there is only one art gallery to speak of, and I am aware that I should be making more of an effort to soak up as much as I can before we leave.

So, the To Do List is as follows:

• Sort out my visa to accompany husband


• Arrange finances


• Buy ticket to Zambia


• Visit Digbeth's burgeoning art section


• Visit Walsall Art Gallery


• Visit Wolverhampton Gallery


• Visit at least 1 on Manchester's galleries


• Go back to Tate Modern and Britain before we leave


• Pack