ArtRising Part two....

Again, we are pushing activism. We are doing our annual youth remembrance event in Soweto. This year we have scaled it down because we would like to really focus on the Media center at Thabisang and completing the interior design.  We will be focusing on changing the space when schools close next week.

We invite those who want to see change in our schools to join us in the spirit of the youth of 76'.  We continue to fight for African systems of education. Thus far no such thing exists, we are forced to learn primarily in English and in Western ways.  The Education syllabus in South Africa is disgusting to say the least. The is no intergration of our indegenous cultures and cosmologies(including language).  Yes one can say the youth can choose Zulu at school if they wish...but does that same youth use it till tertiary and in corporate South Africa? i think not. After the youth of 76' fought so hard, education still happens from an outsiders perspective. We, I am speaking as an Afrikan...not South African(whatever that is...cause anyone can be South African these day...except Africans). We are forced to learn other peoples languages from an early age, then we have to adopt their culture, then we have to submit to the Eurocentric-male dominated world of work that looks down on us still.

The Africa that some of us picture will not exist at this rate. The Africa that says you can learn African ways of being and doing things so we can come up with solutions that work for more than 60% of the country and not the minority.

Reflection:

I get up everyday and reject the corporate world because it does not speak to my vision of that Africa.  I design, make and produce items that I believe call for a different interaction with this Africa.  Most people do not get what I do because I am not subscribing to the usual: go to university, get a qualification and work for a white man.  My spirit cannot subscribe to such. I think it is the cowards way out...I do not view myself as a half-way crook.  Bass John can come to buy books from me for all I care...I handmake my journals and everything else, I dont see why people have to go to exclusive books to get expensive-carbon footprint costly items.
It is beyond me why Africans still look to the minority in the country for validation. I am all about loving other people and their culture(love it to bits) but I am for each of our nations standing up by themselves so that we can build life sustaining, life growing and seriously world changing work.  But i dont think it will happen if we all try to be the next person instead of ourselves.

Nuff ranting:

Catch Artrising this weekend...changing our neighbourhoods one project at a time. Come support the indigo market this Sunday and begin different conversations about financial markets and trade as a whole.

Also if you are in the Kagiso(west rand) area, check out the youth March on the 17th from 8am.  Kagiso's youth rising happened on the 17th and the activists in Eternal Beat(emancipation of thoughts) chose to celebrate it on that day.

Re gopola...batsha ba Aforika!

Beading Dancer's pop-up shop

During the month of May I had the opportunity to open my pop-up shop in different markets.

The French Market

The french style market happened earlier in the month at the French Alliance in Parkview opposite Zoo lake, Johannesburg.  The market happens when it happens. I was selling my latest products and met a lot of interesting people.  There was a lady selling cheese and a condiment made from port to accompany the cheese. A lot of french people make their way here cause it also happens to be a french school.

Living Room Eco-Faire

The eco-faire was the first of its kind at the Living Room in Maboneng District on Main street Johannesburg.  The eco-faire had workshops on guerilla gardening and raw food.  The chef in the picture made some gastronomical raw cheesecakes and cookies as well as raw lasagne made from raw baby marrow. I could marry this man based on his cooking skills, that's how good he is!
There will be another faire at the end of the month.
The Living Room is at the top of the building and has a green feel about it(besides the plants that hang and grow everywhere).

Ambush was also there with some words to think about, songs and plants for sale.  Ambush people are plant people and you can sometimes find them guerilla gardening on the side of the road or abandoned places.

The Design Exhibitions(with a side order of tea and bakes).

This time we will be hosting the exhibition indoors in town. The last three have been in  my garden and Norscot Manor in Fourways.  This one will be over two days.
We feature different designers who make different items.

RainQueen Creations

This lady is amazing.  Kebo's clothing label makes grounded, accentric clothing that inspire the goddess in you. She sources the best organic fabric for her items and incorporates her own style. She also has handmade crotchet bags, belts and clothing that her mother makes from scratch with her design instruction.

These are my items...Beading Dancer.  A mix of some modern and traditional materials...with a lot of stones.

Lilliana Transplanter

Linzi makes items from upcycled material like old tyres and shoe soles to make purses, flip-flops and gloves.  She also uses trees to make earrings and accessories.  Lilliana also crotchets water bottle holders.  Her other products include painting on reclaimed wood. This lady is the definition of green.

I.C Timeless

Themba makes anything out of leather...i do believe you can ask him to make leather spoons!  This man makes bags, belts, shoes, earrings and even decor.  He uses 100% leather in different colours. I wear his creations all the time!

All of these designers can be googled or facebooked...but if you come through to the exhibition you might be sure to find them or we can get you in touch with them.
Hope to see you at the next one to catch up over some tea!

New products!!!!


Check out my new products...handmade journals and skin products...straight from the case!

New work

I am busy dabbling with making journals.  These journals are made with African fabric on upcycled cardboard. So basically they are fly and upcycled. I will be making new items this month and the old designs are going on sale. So let me know whats up or what you are into or when you want me to roll through. 

I am also painting if there are interested parties. 

I will post up pics as soon as I can.

Hakama-hakama-hakama...desu ne!

Hakama ne!

I am sooo excited about wearing this thing it is weird. The happiness has enveloped me. I think I like dress up...dressing up in a yukata and an obi and now a hakama. Whilst no one has taught me to tie it, I think I haven't done a bad job, but I am trying to get it right each time I put it on.

I did realise that there is a booty bump at the back that is apart of it. I am an Afrikan woman and I am gifted in that area so it is always tricky putting on traditional Japanese garb because you are supposed to look flat with no curves...and I have been favoured in those areas.

Please let me know what you think...or even if you have info on reducing the booty bump let me know.

I am trying to find a combination that works for me...this are my choices:

The black formal

The booty bump

The purple

The purple

The blue

The blue