Free State Art Collective

Free State Art Collective A support base of opportunity, mentorship and visibility for Visual Artists from the Free State.

40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS Farewell from the Free State Art Collective👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋Yes, this is it! The Free State...
08/07/2024

40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS

Farewell from the Free State Art Collective
👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋

Yes, this is it! The Free State Art Collective can no longer sustain itself without the support of local art institutions, corporates, galleries, festivals, educational institutions, the National Arts Council or the Free State Department of Arts and Culture. Support, not only financially, but also in providing integrative, inclusive, open doors.

I would like to express gratitude to all the artists who were part of the collective at some point in time. As well as the people and spaces that DID open their doors and gave us support along the way .......

* the UFS Architecture School for giving us our first platform at Bloem Build in 2018
* Angela de Jesus, curator of the UFS Gallery, and Ricardo Peach, previous director of the Vrystaat Kunstefees, for our exhibition 'Betwixt and Between' in 2019
* To Mary Sibande, Natali Downing and Lawrence Lemaoana who came to Bloemfontein in 2019 to give lectures and workshops to the Bloemfontein arts community; and to Motheo College, CUT and UFS Fine Arts for providing funding for the realisation of this event
* Gallery 2 in Johannesburg for giving us two exhibitions 'Betwixt and Between' in 2019 and our group exhibition during the depths of COVID in 2021
* Turbine Art Fair for selecting us three years in a row
* Fine Art Print Fair for selecting FSAC printmakers to partake in their online fair
* The Melrose Gallery for providing a platform for Free State sculptors to exhibit at SculptX
* Ark Contemporary and the people of Rosendal for our exhibition 'Equilibrium' in 2022
* To Pierre Lombard of SAFFCA for providing residencies to a number of FSAC artists as well as inviting some artists to be part of SEED II at the exquisite Villa Arcadia in Johannesburg ~ thank you for believing in my vision
* To Origin, Madlozi, Escap3, StateoftheArt Galleries as well as Gallery 2, The Printing Girls and Occupying the Gallery for providing representation and/or platforms to Free State artists to exhibit
* PH Attorneys/New Breed Art for giving us the opportunity to provide mentorship sessions and workshops to the wider arts community
* To Rea Mokone, previously from the Free State Arts Festival, for providing the platform 'De Schrijvers Werf' for FSAC artists to collaborate with Afrikaans and Dutch poets and writers around the world at the 2022 festival
* To Kay Fourie who, through the Draadkar Grand Prix in Philipstown, raised the funding for FSAC artists to give art workshops to the kids of Philipstown in the Northern Cape
* To Henry Pretorius from Typology Architects who made our going to Turbine Art Fair in 2018 possible
* To Marjorie Human from Muga Muga Handmade Jewellery for annually supporting one artist from FSAC
* To Yolanda Maartens from OFM ArtBeat for being one of the few local media establishments to give us a platform to share all the exciting things happening with Free State Fine Artists
* To the budding FSAC curators ~ Miné Kleynhans and Bontle Tau ~ who created brilliant ideas for exhibitions that we couldn't find funding or platforms for
* And finally, the KZNSA Gallery and Melrose Gallery for offering the chance to exhibit this year; which we unfortunately were not able to realise due to lack of funding

l will end by mentioning our most exciting project by far which was initiated on 27 March 2020, when South Africa went into COVID lockdown. Our online exhibition 'LOCKDOWN ~ A viral art exhibition by the Free State Art Collective' was such a buzz, I so enjoyed it.
http://www.freestateartcollective.co.za/lockdown

A HUGE shout out goes to the 40 artists that make up the Free State Art Collective in 2024. What an inspiring, diverse group of people ~ each with their unique perspective on their experience of living in the world, right here, right now. May the road rise up to meet you on your creative journeys.

Karen Brusch
Founder of the Free State Art Collective
November 2017 - July 2024

www.freestateartcollective.co.za


Contact me if you would like to book a mentorship session. I offer one~on~one sessions with visual artists who want to talk through their art process or their lives as artists. We will focus on opportunities tailored just for you or uncover the limiting beliefs underlying any blocks or feelings of being stuck.

084 017 0728
[email protected]
www.linkedin.com/in/karen-brusch-7858b6a/

40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS 40 of 40 | Dr. Adelheid FrackiewiczIt has been incredible to witness Dr. Adelheid Frackiewicz's eno...
05/07/2024

40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS

40 of 40 | Dr. Adelheid Frackiewicz

It has been incredible to witness Dr. Adelheid Frackiewicz's enormous growth in the space of just three years. After winning the most prestigious art competition on the African continent in 2021 ~ the ABSA L'Atelier Award ~ Frackiewicz has travelled to Johannesburg, Ghana and Poland to exhibit and forge international partnerships.

Adelheid's rapid rise just shows you what the impact of winning a prominent art competition can have on an artist's career. Not only does ABSA put out a world class art competition; but they invest hugely in the winning artists by providing platforms for exhibition, remuneration as well as support.

But even before this pivotal moment, Adelheid put on an exceptional exhibition at the Oliewenhuis Art Museum in completion of her PhD degree in Fine Arts titled 'Art, Place, Death: The Transformative Power of Dynamic Thresholds'.

We have since seen her drone imagery of the conglomeration of giant molars installed at Liedjiesbos in Bloemfontein. And Frackiewicz is now busy with transporting and installing of 180 of these molars at the incredible Nirox Sculpture Park in the Cradle of Humankind. Can you imagine the visual impact of this in the Kromdraai landscape?

"My research questions emerge intimately from my own life experiences which include my Polish grandfather’s escape from Poland to South Africa during World War II. Through drawings, land art and sculptures my research attempts to engage with the problematics and complexities of forced immigration. I explore the complexities of site, ritual and materiality in terms of how these areas may contribute to healing or constructive engagement with difficult and otherwise traumatic experiences of loss and erasure."

Today I am sharing a snippet from the 30 drawings Adelheid created during her time at the Ampersand Residency in New York City. She has just come back and I can't wait to see what she has planned for this group of drawings. Frackiewicz committed herself to creating one new drawing every single day, using her emotional state at the time as a guideline for her process. I like the way these drawings vibrate with emotional intensity, giving the viewer a peek into her personal daily diary but in line form.

This artist is now on fire after spending an entire month in one of the greatest art cities in the world. I am so looking forward to seeing what comes next. Follow Adelheid on her Instagram which is full of fascinating process videos of how she makes her soaps, giant molars, tiny teeth and line drawings.


40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS 39 of 40 | Bontle Tau I am sure the art lovers of Bloem still vividly remember the not one, but two...
04/07/2024

40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS

39 of 40 | Bontle Tau

I am sure the art lovers of Bloem still vividly remember the not one, but two, performances Bontle Tau presented at her recent Master's in Fine Arts exhibition at the Stegmann Gallery, University of the Free State.

We honestly are so lucky to have an artist in the city who, besides lecturing at the UFS Fine Arts School, is also travelling the world to work on international art projects. The fact that Tau also speaks fluent French is a huge advantage for her as she can access the Francophone countries with ease.

On the day I met Bontle she shared with me that her father asked her to present a Power Point presentation on how she was going to make it in the arts. And now, not even 30 years old, Tau has already achieved so much.

Upon graduating, Tau flew to Saint-Émilion in France where she worked closely with SAFFCA (the Southern African Foundation and Fellowship of Contemporary Art). Fast forward to a couple of years later when Bontle was invited to co~curate an exhibition on traditional Sesotho mural art known as 'Litema'. These exhibitions were presented in the exquisite locations of Château d'Oiron and the Chapelle Jeanne d’Arc.

In between her travels Bontle Tau was chosen to work closely with the Latitudes team in their inaugural curatorship programme titled CuratorLab. The resulting exhibition 'Translating Home' included artists from the Free State and is still on view at Latitudes Online. Watch this space as Bontle grows her curatorial wings ~ I am certain she will present fascinating exhibitions in the future.

Currently, Tau is in the process of completing her written Master's in Fine Arts thesis as well as lecturing at the UFS. I don't think there is anyone better in the department to teach performance art to the students. Fast becoming one of the most desirable art forms, performance art is a key component at most gallery openings, art fairs and festivals. I am excited to see her impact on the students in this art form in the coming years.

It seems obvious then that I share an image of Tau's performance presented at the Nirox Sculpture Park in the Cradle of Humankind. Nirox invited University Fine Arts Schools around the country to partake in 'Good Neighbours' and all the lecturers from UFS presented an excellent programme, curated by Lyrene Kühn-Botma.

To achieve a successful performance is no mean feat ~ it takes the ability to be completely focused and thoroughly present. Performance art is not theatre where the artist embodies a character, but rather an embodiment of real life, a moment the artist captures in time, an offering of transformation for the viewer. This is the artist in action and who better to do this than the ever expressive, open-hearted Bontle Tau?

If you want to collaborate with Bontle Tau, as curator or in relation to writing and art performance, please contact her via the UFS Fine Arts Department or her Instagram

40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS 38 of 40 | Marius Jansen van VuurenThis much loved Bloemfontein artist who wears many art hats, Mar...
03/07/2024

40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS

38 of 40 | Marius Jansen van Vuuren

This much loved Bloemfontein artist who wears many art hats, Marius Jansen van Vuuren has an impressive list of accomplishments. From heading up the first Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme during COVID, to researching the first mobile museum project for the Oliewenhuis Art Museum, to creating a giant giraffe for the Free State Arts Festival. The latter project allowed him to travel the world to make more giant animal sculptures in collaboration with UK artist, Alex Rinsler. The PESP project in particular, enabled 100 artists from the Free State to create murals all over the province. Check out the giant giraffe, squirrel and foxes on Marius' socials to see the sheer scale and possibility of these creatures.

Jansen van Vuuren has painted numerous giraffe murals around the city ~ all to honour the giraffe living on Naval Hill. Tall, majestic creatures living on the highest hill in the middle of the city ~ such a delicious oddity.

Marius has taught art to students, he has dabbled in bronze sculpture making with the Falconer Foundry in Kwazulu Natal and most recently, he has been creating artworks for the Philosophy Department at UFS. Here, his exploration takes an interesting turn as each of the portraits also contains an Augmented Reality layer which can easily be activated with an app on your mobile phone.

Marius Jansen van Vuuren has bravely returned to his studies and is currently in his 3rd year of Psychology. His dream is to be a qualified Arts Therapist and I have no doubt that he will be exceptionally good at it.

Today I am choosing one of Marius' mural artworks as my favourite. Inspired by Lady Justice, I so enjoy the placement of the mural under the air-conditioning ducts and surveillance camera. This is what public art is all about ~ to mark a chosen space with artistic expression so that passersby can stop, admire the artistry and then reflect on what the artist is trying to say. For me, the reflection points to the South African justice system which we hope is still mostly intact; but also to everyday injustices which far too many are blinded from.

This is one artist to contact if you would like to collaborate on large scale projects, whether mural or gigantic sculptures. Or find out which artworks Marius has available for you to add to your collection. It's vital that we support our local artists.
Marius Jansen van Vuuren Art

40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS 37 of 40 | Liz VorsterSo often I meet artists who feel compelled, no, passionately driven, almost t...
02/07/2024

40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS

37 of 40 | Liz Vorster

So often I meet artists who feel compelled, no, passionately driven, almost to the point of lunacy, to bring to light the shadows lurking beneath their familial ties, their community, their "throwness" of place. The moment I met Liz Vorster, she reminded me of a dragonfly ~ flitting this way and that, immediately present then gone to present herself in another moment, never rigid or fixed. Feeling stiffled by the university institution, the newly graduated Vorster is bursting with creative vitality and dynamic authenticity, especially after two consecutive residencies.

Liz Vorster completely lucked out by being invited to go on residency with SAFFCA (the Southern African Foundation and Fellowship of Contemporary Art) ~ first at Witklipfontein Eco Lodge near Parys, in the northern Free State; and then Entabeni in Knysna.

Even though Liz has left Bloemfontein and continues with her nomadic journey, she has left her mark in the city. This free spirit made sure to immerse herself in everything arts related possibility that was available to her locally. Her collaborative murals can be spotted all over the city. I especially love the one at Preller between the mall and the parking bay ~ it puts a smile on my face everytime I see it.

"Vorster’s work is a manifestation of her personal spiritual pursuit. Her method of drawing invokes layers of mark-making which seek to capture the elusive and unseen. She invites viewers to consider themselves as fellow travelers, exploring the intricate landscapes of their own minds."

As much as I so loved Liz's artworks from her final year of studies at the University of the Free State Fine Arts School, I would like to rather focus on a drawing Liz created while on residency at Entabeni in Knysna. It is almost as if, away from the regulated environment at UFS, Vorster has found a more authentic voice in her practice. There is an element of freedom in this drawing as she captures the mists rolling over the Knysna landscape. Despite the monochrome drawing and with only a hint of blue, the viewer immediately taps into the mood created. There is an underlying unease in the work, which makes it enigmatic ~ it's as if Vorster has captured the energies and spirits rooted in the landscape!

'Sipping from source'
(diptych)
2024
Charcoal and ink on Fabriano
70 x 95cm x 2

I am certain with Liz Vorster's tenacity, passion and drive she will navigate through such interesting pathways on her artist journey. If you would like to see what Liz was up to while on residency, even purchase one of her artworks, or collaborate with her, follow her here

Tribute to my soul friend, colleague and art son ~ Lesego Motsiri 🕊️The Free State Art Collective is a collective of 40 ...
01/07/2024

Tribute to my soul friend, colleague and art son ~ Lesego Motsiri 🕊️

The Free State Art Collective is a collective of 40 visual artists and Lesego Motsiri was one of the original members to join it.

I first met Lesego in the Stegmann Art Gallery at the UFS back in 2018. He had his floppy hat on and I could only see the bottom half of his face. I went bounding up to him and said 'hello'! And this beaming smile and bright, bright eyes looked back at me ~ we had an immediate soul connection. I asked him if he wanted to join the collective to which he replied 'Oh, yes please!'

I was so touched at his memorial service on Thursday when everyone shared the special name that Lesego had for all the people he cared about. He soon started calling me Mumzy. And then once he got to know my partner Jono better, he started calling him Papsy. We were his chosen surrogate art parents and his deep love for us was tangible. He often checked in to see how Mumzy and Papsi were doing.

Lesego had the ability to see beyond age, race, gender, religion, all the constructs that divide us. He stepped outside his comfort zones and was able to navigate through all spaces. And whenever you encountered him he gave you his full attention and presence.

Lesego became one of the most loyal members of Free State Art Collective. Whenever I posted a local opportunity for the group, he was always one of the first to respond. He was proactive, a helper, a supporter, he worked hard for his dreams, he soldiered on despite all the far too many challenges he was facing at such a young age.

I wish I could take his mother, Tshadibe Irene Motsiri, in my arms and thank her for the bright light she brought into this world. He was undoubtedly her child.

Lesego was always calm, gentle, inward. But his mind was racing. Racing with ideas and concepts and searching for knowledge about the multiverse he was tapping into to make his digital artworks.

To have won the New Breed Art Competition last year for a video artwork is an enormous achievement. One of the judges told me that all three immediately chose his work as the winner, there wasn't even a discussion about it. Lesego's self portrait. Of a gentle dove ~ the universal symbol of peace ~ quietly, unobtrusively present. While other artists give us painted, drawn, sketched self portraits, Lesego tells us who he is through a video.

He was a man and artist ahead of his times. And he was only just beginning. He sat in my house a few weeks ago telling me about his dreams for the future. And it always included dreams of what he could create in collaboration with others.

Lesego, Jono and I and the artists from the Free State Art Collective, will miss you terribly. I will miss our conversations about life, family, art, sacred geometry, photography, spirituality. But most of all, I will miss your creative spirit and your enormous contribution to the Zeitgeist of Bloemfontein.

May your soul, your smile, your legacy through your art, your soulmate, Lwazi and your younger brother, Motaung ~ SHINE. I just know it in my bones that the two of you will do Lesego proud in whatever way the journey of life takes you.

The name Lesego means to be blessed beyond measure. Lesego, you blessed us all beyond measure. May you rest easy, rest in peace and rest in power. You will forever live on in our hearts.

Ho fihlela re kopana hape.

Mumzy, Papsi and the Artists from the Free State Art Collective.

Lesego Motsiri
22 October 1989 - 19 June 2024

🕊️ 🕊️ 🕊️ 🕊️ 🕊️ 🕊️ 🕊️Lesego Motsiri's funeral and burial will be taking place on Saturday 29 June 2024. Please have a loo...
27/06/2024

🕊️ 🕊️ 🕊️ 🕊️ 🕊️ 🕊️ 🕊️

Lesego Motsiri's funeral and burial will be taking place on Saturday 29 June 2024.

Please have a look at the programme of events in the announcement.

In loving memory of our beloved Lesego Motsiri 🕊️

40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS 36 of 40 | Mandie ImmelmanThe joy of working with such a diverse group of artists is the fact that ...
26/06/2024

40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS

36 of 40 | Mandie Immelman

The joy of working with such a diverse group of artists is the fact that each one has their particular quirks and interests. In the case of Mandie Immelman, she has definitely become the bee woman of the Free State. Not only is she a meticulous and highly skilled silkscreen printer; but she also was selected to be part of the national The Printing Girls.

Teaching at the Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein for the last 13 years, Immelman has intertwined her passing on of her many skills to the learners with growing and developing her own practice. Immelman has completed her Master's in Fine Arts and has exhibited all around the country together with both The Printing Girls and the Free State Art Collective.

In fact, Mandie is exhibiting with The Printing Girls in their latest group exhibition 'Uniting the Ink' ~ opening at 11am on Saturday 6 July at Gallery 2 in Johannesburg.

Today I am choosing an etching print by Mandie as one of my favourites. It is obvious from this etch that she is a highly skilled printmaker. I love the ethereal quality of this artwork and the attention to detail of the organic matter she so beautifully presents. In a way, I see this as a self portrait of the artist who herself is gentle and dreamy. And only an artist would give their attention to the very parts of nature overlooked ~ weeds.

"Conceptually I like to focus on the unseen and unappreciated."

'Weeds'
2020
Etching (Edition of 8)
20 x 15cm

Please check out Immelman's Instagram page and see the other artworks she has been exploring, especially her installation work where 100 bees have been encapsulated in resin casings titled 'Moment of quiet reflection'. And please contact her if you would like an edition of one of her prints or you wish to collaborate with her.immelman

40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS 35 of 40 | Wessel van Huyssteen Wessel van Huyssteen really needs no introduction! An artist who ha...
24/06/2024

40 DAYS | 40 ARTISTS

35 of 40 | Wessel van Huyssteen

Wessel van Huyssteen really needs no introduction! An artist who has only been seriously making Fine Art for the last 7 years since obtaining his Master's in Fine Arts from Wits University, Johannesburg; van Huyssteen is consistently evolving his practice. With a number of solo exhibitions under his belt and part of prominent art collections, van Huyssteen is honestly one of the most talented resident Free State artists.

When I first met Wessel I was blown away by his ability to bend the use of watercolours in a fresh, contemporary language. Unbelievably skilled in this medium, he has created some of the most astonishing watercolours I have seen coming out of South Africa. That was until he started dabbling in his other love ~ textiles. Over the last few years he has mastered a new language for himself through the use of layering and stitching fabrics. Unlike watercolour, these textile artworks mimic painterly qualities and the viewer feels compelled to touch them to experience their materiality.

"Under the stress of the needle the elasticity of the textiles transforms expressionistically into marks, impossible to have foreseen. These works are visual, but the artist would like to encourage the viewer to imagine the monotonous, persistent and ever changing tone and rhythm of the machine and punch as his hand guides it across textiles and paper."

I have many, many favourite artworks by Wessel but today I will focus on his textile work titled 'Skinned'. This is currently on exhibition at Gallery2 in Johannesburg, in Wessel's most recent solo exhibition 'FLOOD' ~ until 29 June 2024. Seeing his magnificent exhibition comes highly recommended.

Continuing his advocacy for the environment and the impact of over population on our planet, his current textile works make hard-hitting commentary on the fashion industry; which creates THE largest landfill problem globally. Viscose, rayon, nylon and other fast fashion materials also rely on highly toxic chemicals to manufacture; with resulting devastating effects on nature. Just look at the layering and painterly effect created by van Huyssteen's skilled sewing. In this work, it's almost like it is gathering flames and may combust any second, mirroring the imminent collapse of our planet.

'Skinned'
2022
Stitched Cotton, Rayon and Nylon
144 x 85cm

If you would like to collaborate with Wessel or own one of his impressive artworks, contact him via Gallery2 or Ark Contemporary in Rosendal. Or follow him on Instagram.
Gallery 2
ark Contemporary


24/06/2024

a unique community from the Free State have a fantastic initiative going on—40 Artists for 40 Days, a way to showcase

Lesego Motsiri 22 October 1989 to 19 June 2024Too young, too soon, you were only just becoming.It is with the most profo...
20/06/2024

Lesego Motsiri
22 October 1989 to 19 June 2024

Too young,
too soon,
you were only just becoming.

It is with the most profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of our beloved Lesego Motsiri. The Free State arts community is in shock and trying to make sense of this immensurable tragedy. After weeks of trying to shake the flu, Lesego's body collapsed on his way to hospital yesterday.

Lesego, you will forever remain in our hearts. Your beautiful smile, your depth, your authenticity, your pure, gentle kindness will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace and power.

On behalf of the Free State Art Collective:
Nolwazi, we are especially thinking of you, Lesego's family and close friends during this time of grief. May you all be held with love in this time of healing.

This happened so unexpectedly. There is no funeral policy in place and a municipal burial will take over two months to conclude. We would like Lesego to be laid to rest as soon as possible but need your support to make it happen. Please can we all come together and contribute whatever we can into Nolwazi's account.

Ms NMEP NCUBE
Capitec
1703329439

We will soon let you know when the funeral will be taking place.

Karen Brusch
Founder of the Free State Art Collective

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Albrecht Street
Bloemfontein

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Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
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How the Free State Art Collective started

After moving to Bloemfontein in January of 2017 and researching the arts scene locally, Karen Brusch saw a gap for the creation of an innovative support-base for local artists. Few possibilities exist in the visual arts in the Free State - there is only one commercial contemporary gallery space, the Johannes Stegmann Gallery of the University of the Free State and the national Oliewenhuis Art Museum. Consequently, there are few exhibition opportunities for local artists. The Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Competition, now in it’s 5th year, and the launch of the National Art Bank in Bloemfontein have opened further opportunities. However, the prospects remain numbered, and artists with enormous potential leave Bloemfontein for larger cities providing better support structures. Those that remain, scramble for ways to survive and often abandon their dreams of becoming full-time and established artists.

A further inhibiting sense that many artists in central South Africa experience, is that they are isolated geographically from the rest of the country; with Cape Town and Johannesburg dominating the visual arts spaces and culture. Additionally, Free State artists are stereotyped for focusing on preconceived subject themes. After much research, it became clear that the local scene is just as complex, innovative, exploratory and engaging as anywhere else in the country; and that perceptions need to be shifted. These observations lead to the realisation that there is a need for a new institution – a moving collective, unlike a gallery.

Art collectives have become popular both nationally and abroad, as an inventive response to particular socio-economic circumstances. One can see the obvious advantage for groups of creatives to collaborate and work on large-scale projects together. Collectives provide a platform for artists to brainstorm projects en masse, raise the funds as a group and oversee the fruition of their creative labour, collectively. What if collectives were created in each region of South Africa, opening a more vibrant and democratic art scene locally, no longer dominated by our economic powerhouse cities?

Like a gallery, the Free State Art Collective has a growing stable of artists whose work will be promoted and sold via the brand. But unlike a gallery, there is no tie to a specific exhibition space. Instead, the collective is mobile, working through the unique curation of events and via exposure nationally, and eventually internationally, at established art shows and events.