My Writings. My Thoughts.
Article on Apartheid Museum installation in Engineering News
Engineering News magazine published a great article about Chris Swift’s installation at the Apartheid Museum. Titled Twenty Years Ago (2010), it is made from the original Robben Island prison fencing and draws attention to the fact that 2010 is not just about the soccer World Cup but is also, and perhaps more importantly, the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from prison.
You can read more about the installation piece on Chris Swift’s website and the online version of the Engineering News article is available at this address:
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/creating-art-out-of-historic-waste-2010-08-13
Chris Swift Launches Website
Chris Swift, art director of RIACT has launched a website showcasing his art. It includes the pieces made from the Robben Island Fencing as well as his works which won numerous awards including the Spier Contemporary 2010.
Chris also uses the website to share his thoughts and thought processes. New content is being uploaded every week so it’s advisable to check the website regularly. We’re proud to have the RIACT project featured on his site.
Unframed Fencing Now Available
The range of Robben Island Art products now includes an unframed option which is also much cheaper. Coming in at under R1000 (R950 to be exact), the boxed fence is a great gift. People who are travelling will love this option, as will people who want to frame their piece of fence their own way to suit their taste or decor.
As with all other pieces, the boxed fence still has a unique number which is engraved into the lead seal. It comes with the matching certificate of authenticity as well as a page containing the story of Robben Island and the fence.
The box is quite hard and will travel well, and it looks extremely professional.
Apartheid Museum installation
The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is a highly regarded museum. During the World Cup it hosted tens of thousands of visitors. We are proud to have some of the Robben Island fencing installed at this prestigious location.
As part of their celebration of the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela, the museum commissioned Chris Swift to create an installation piece in the garden using the original fencing from the Robben Island prison.
Chris installed the piece over several days and the final result is truly magnificent. The installation is called Twenty Years Ago and is a large 2010 made from scaffolding and Robben Island prison fencing.
The artist’s statement about the piece: Continue Reading
Waterfront Exhibition Extended
On the 27th of April (Freedom Day), a special event was held in the Clocktower Mall as part of the Freedom Day celebrations at the Waterfront. The purpose of the event was to draw attention to the exhibition and the connection to the release of Nelson Mandela twenty years ago. Three speeches were given; one by Chantelle Kidd, head of marketing for the V&A Waterfront. Chantalle spoke about the V&A Expressions of Art series and how pleased they were with the RIACT exhibition, expecially the strong connection to Robben Island and Freedom Day. Chris Swift, on of the artists and the creator of the installation piece outside the Robben Island Gateway, presented about the artworks and artists, sharing inside information on the process behind the exhibition. Dax Villanueva of RIACT spoke about the role of RIACT in the exhibition and how it was the first of many projects to support the vision of creating employment and skills development, while supporting local art.
Several art pieces in the exhibition were sold in the lead up to Freedom Day, as well as Continue Reading
Buy Robben Island Artwork
The Robben Island Art online shop is open for business! You can acquire original pieces of this limited collection by following this link to the Art Shop:
Contact Dave (dave@riact.co.za) for dealer information.
Waterfront Exhibition
For many, the year 2010 will be remembered as the year South Africa hosted the soccer World Cup. However, the only reason we can host this prestigious tournament is because we have become a democratic country and 2010 is the 20 year anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. The 27th of April is Freedom Day, a day set aside to celebrate the first democratic elections in South Africa. The process of democratising the country was started in symbol when Nelson Mandela was released from prison 20 years ago.
To celebrate this poignant date, the V&A Waterfront, in collaboration with RIACT, has commissioned an exhibition of works themed around Robben Island where Nelson Mandela and many other political prisoners were incarcerated. Many of the artworks will incorporate pieces of the original Robben Island fencing which kept the prisoners captive those many years.
The exhibition, titled Time On Our Hands, has been Continue Reading
Waterfront Exhibition Now On
WATERFRONT EXHIBITION – TIME ON OUR HANDS – NOW ON
The V&A Waterfront is hosting an art exhibition in celebration of Freedom Day on the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela. RIACT is proud to be a sponsor of this event. Several current and past students from Michaelis have created artworks which speak of Robben Island and the symbolic role it played in our past. Some of the pieces will incorporate the Robben Island fencing.
The exhibition will be Continue Reading
