Children exposed to value of art
ALEXANDRA - Alex celebrated August as Heritage Month with an arts exhibition of a special kind targeting its future residents the children.
Alex celebrated August as Heritage Month with an art exhibition of a special kind which was aimed at the township’s children.
The event held at the Art Smart Brand company in Marlboro sought to inculcate in schoolchildren a spirit of unity which would make them shun hatred, and in particular, xenophobia which rocked the township early this year.
The event exposed the children to drawings by local and other artists from migrant African communities who have made South Africa their home away from home.
Organised by Art Smart Brand and the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, the event was designed to enable the children to embrace the rich and educational benefits from the diverse drawings. Children were also encouraged to do their own drawings of different African countries’ flags under the theme Driving Art Innovation to Fight Xenophobia – Art Crosses Borders.
Veteran artist and curator, Vika Mjoka of Art Smart Brand, said the initiative was a groundbreaking heritage art collection to encourage the youth to use art as a tool for dialogue.
“It offered a rare opportunity for them, including other self-taught Alex artists who exhibited alongside inspiring artworks by acclaimed African artists whose works have been in the limelight since the 70s,” said Mjoka.
Ivor Ichikowitz, of the foundation, said the event enabled the children to learn from Mjoka and the other artists what it entails to become a professional artist.
“[The exhibition] dealt with xenophobia by illustrating the artists’ hopes and dreams as role models with the hope to empower young leaders to make positive choices in their lives, community and for their country,” said Ichikowitz.
Details: Ichikowitz Family Foundation; 076 101 0421.
