The 2010 FIFA World Cup Art Auction

The art community is not left out of the spirit of this year’s World Cup. The 2010 Fine Art, an art auction that will be a visual celebration of the FIFA World Cup, will serve not only as a platform to celebrate Africa and African culture, but also other cultures of the world through contemporary art, as the World Cup berths on African soil for the first time in the 80-year history of the international tournament.

With 160 artists from the 32 countries participating in the mundial, the art auction will feature five Nigerian artists, including: Toyin Omolowo, Portus Ojomo, Toyin Loye, Osi Adu, and Ugochukwu Nzewi. They will, alongside other artists from other participating countries, give art collectors and football fans the opportunity to keep a piece of history as captured in their art. The art auction will be divided into two collections – 2010 International Fine Art; and 2010 African Fine Art. Works to be displayed by the Nigerians are: ‘The Keeper’ by Osi Audu; ‘FootballUniting the World’ by Toyin Omolowo; ‘Victory’ by Portus Ojomo; ‘Football is One World’ by Toyin Loye; and ‘Soccer Field’ by Ugochukwu Nzewi.

Toyin Omolowo noted that the essence of his painting, ‘Football Uniting the World’, was to express the development of modern civilisation. “Love, peace, and happiness are the thrilling messages to the people of the beautiful world through the game of soccer,” he said.

Omolowo’s painting depicts images of six FIFA continental zones characterised by a medley of colours representing the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, North/Central America and Caribbean, Oceania, and South America.

“My work is also a vision of revitalisation, which has arrived in form of motif layers at the background indicating the bright side of African soil; as well as the round leather game called ‘Football’ that has fascinated the people and invariably becoming the cynosure of the world.”

Craig Mark, the Managing Director of 2010 Fine Arts, the official licensed products of the 2010 World Cup said, “The 2010 World Cup is an opportunity to bring the world to Africa and take Africa to the world – through Art. In addition to combining the creative talents of 160 of the world’s leading contemporary artists into one exceptional international collection, 2010 Fine Art also provides African artists with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to market their talents to international audiences through the platform of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”

Toyin Omolowo, a multimedia visual artist, was born in Lagos. He studied Art at the Yaba College of Technology between 1984 and 1990. His art experience since 1990 covers painting, textile Art, graphics, and metal sculpture.

Toyin Loye was born in Ijebu Ijesa, Osun State, in 1959. He went to the School of Arts and Science, Ile Ife, before going to the University of Ife, present day Obafemi Awolowo University. His art is believed to be a modern representation of ancient African art tradition. His works have featured in Europe, Japan, and Africa. He currently resides in the Netherlands.

Born in Ile-Ife, Portus Ojomo relocated to Europe, where he studied in the Royal Academy of Arts in Antwerp, Belgium, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later went on to study in Mexico and is referred to as an African monumental artist in Diaspora. He presently lives in Belgium.

Ugochukwu Nzewi was born in 1979 and studied Sculpture at the University of Nigeria Nsukka; he is a multi talented artist who expresses himself through sculpture, music and painting.

From each original work, 210 copies will be made in archival ink on cotton; with the number 210 being connected to the year 2010. The auction of the originals is scheduled for Johannesburg during the final games of the group stages.

Source: 234next.com
By Obidike Okafor

Soccer Art From Fifa 2010

(Jackson Hlungwane, Hand of God, 1989. Wood. 88.5 x 55 cm. )

(Gerard Bhengu, A Goal, 1926. Pencil and watercolour on paper. 21.3 x 33.2 cm.)

(William Kentridge, Bicycle Kick, 2009. Official FIFA art poster. 100 x 70 cm.)

This (football) flagship exhibition, will showcase a range of artworks that respond to the global phenomenon of soccer and the passion it evokes. The exhibition, which runs from 1 June to 17 July 2010, focuses on the African continent, with a significant South African component and, of course, the enthusiastic support for the South African national team is featured prominently.

Artworks are drawn from the Standard Bank African Art Collection and from other South African collections, as well as loans from international sources and several specifically commissioned works. Designed to showcase the full spectrum of cultural manifestations of the love of soccer, the exhibition includes makarapas (crafted soccer helmets), vuvuzelas (embellished soccer trumpets), commercially produced soccer merchandise (such as clothing and taxi bumper stickers) as well as personal tributes created by adoring fans and fine art by internationally acclaimed artists.

Other components of the show are local cartoons from the popular press such as Super Strikers, in-depth analyses such as BBC’s History of soccer: The Beautiful Game starring soccer legend Pele, and photographic essays, for example, a feature on African soccer audiences by Nigerian filmmaker and photographer Andrew Dosunmu. Historical and contemporary artworks are included, from a Zulu staff commemorating Bafana Bafana captain Neil Tovey, to a commissioned sculpture by Johannes Maswanganyi.

The exhibition title is drawn from the traditional South African celebratory cry on a goal being scored. The exhibition is curated by Fiona Rankin-Smith of the Wits Art Museum, and will be accompanied by a catalogue of images and essays.

Source: blogs.timeslive.co.za

Showcasing South African Art to World Cup Visitors

Art graduate Riason Naidoo is proud to host an exhibition at the revamped Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town in time for the World Cup.

Naidoo, who is director of the newly revamped Iziko South African National Gal- lery in Cape Town, hopes to use indigenous art as a canvas to portray the history of the country and talent of local artists to visiting World Cup soccer fans.

The gallery re-opened last week, after a six-week revamp, to host a new exhibition celebrating one 100 years of South African art entitled: "1910-2010: From Pierneef to Gugulective."

This is Naidoo's first project after being appointed as director of arts collections at Iziko in May 2009. Naidoo decided to embark on this project ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

"I thought the World Cup is our time and it will be imperative to showcase South African art during this times, especially with the large number of tourists who will be visiting our shores," he said.

"The context of the World Cup also allows for a reflection on the diversity, strength and uniqueness of our own art history."

Naidoo and his staff used the time when the gallery was closed to source an exhibition which reflects SA's contribution to art and offers a glimpse of future artistic talent.

Naidoo's passion for art began at a young age when he started drawing and painting. It was at the beginning of his high-school career at Woodhurst Secondary, Chatsworth, that he was encouraged to study art by a teacher who saw his unique artistic talent.

After studying architecture for three years, Naidoo decided to follow his dream and pursue his first love of art.

He graduated in Fine Arts from the University of the Wit- watersrand in 1995. He recently completed his MA in Fine Arts at the same university while working on various projects.

His studies and interest in art has taken him to many countries, including India and France after he was awarded two scholarships.

The first was at the University of Baroda in India in 1997. Naidoo said his travels in India helped him "grow as a person" and rated it as an interesting experience.

During this time he observed the difference in lifestyles of people living in India and South Africans of Indian origin.

"Our value system is different from theirs. India is very much centered on the person and not the material side of things, which I think is special," said Naidoo.

His second scholarship was at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Bordeaux in France in 2001. After his return from France, he coordinated art projects for the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS).

Naidoo was also the art director of the South Africa-Mali Project: Timbuktu Manuscripts from its launch in 2003 to its culmination at the inauguration of the new building in January 2009.

He was tasked with helping the Malian government conserve the historic manu- scripts, which are testimony to a history of scientific inquiry, the writing of poetry, intellectual discourse and philosophical reflection.

One of the projects closest to Naidoo's heart was the Ranjith Kally exhibition which he regards as one of the highlights of his career.

He managed a photographic exhibition on the themes of memory, identity and race politics based on the work of photographer Ranjith Kally in 2004 and The Indian in DRUM magazine in the 1950s that have been hosted in museums locally and in Mali, Austria, Spain and France.

"That was a special moment for me. I did everything myself. It was rewarding that Kally got the attention that he deserved. All the major galleries bought his collections which was great," said Naidoo.

He gathers inspiration for his exhibitions and paintings from wanting to start afresh and recreating history and work that has been done.

"For me it's about doing something new. I am preoccupied with representing South African art, especially bringing together neglected history which is driven by my activism," he said.

Aside from his love for art Naidoo takes time out to cook which he enjoys doing when he has time. He loves travel- ling and considers himself a world music lover.

He hopes to open up South African art to the world and is encouraged by what the national gallery currently has to offer.

"I want to open up our gallery to beyond our borders, especially to the Afri- can continent.

"I have worked in Africa and know the quality of African art and what we have to showcase. The national gallery has the richness in art to showcase work from other countries as well," said Naidoo.

Source: www.timeslive.co.za

By: Avashnee Moodley