THUPELO 2005 KOEKENAAP WORKSHOP • KOEKENAAP • 16-24 Sept

23 Artists, 8 days, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Wesland Arts Society all made the Koekenaap workshop.

  
"This workshop has truly helped to form a local cultural family.There was a wonderful beneficial bond from the start and it grew as the week progressed. Some of the participants tried their hand at paint, ink or clay for the first time in their adult lives. Seeing someone daring to give vent to their artistic urges with a new medium was exhilarating. It also seemed as if the local group needed the “luxury” of this workshop to enable them to open up to each other.   The presence of the visiting artists enabled them to see each other as well as the surroundings in a new light.  
I felt honoured to have been there. 
Each of the visiting artists contributed a different facet with regards to working method to this workshop and much has been learned from them. Fikile Skosana going about in a quiet focused way constantly experimenting and splattering her canvasses with new colour and shapes.  Velaphi Masondo having such a gentle but excited way of informing all those interested in Venda culture.   It was wonderful to see him transferring form and rhythm into clay.   I recall a conversation with Ndikhumbule Ngqinambi answering some of my questions regarding the initiation rites of the Xhosa which made me realize and respect the traditions of Africa anew.   Some aspect of his traditions intermingling with a western approach also comes through in his work.   Watching both Hwan-Cheon Yong and Anthony Cawood each in their own way working at their medium with such economy of effort and mesmerizing us with the process and end result was admired all around and will be remembered for a long time to come. Madi Phala did a wonderful job parenting this workshop.   He has great charm and was loved and respected by all."
Desireé Brand