No doubt about it – South Africans are a crafty bunch. The country's people produce a remarkable range of arts and crafts, working from the pavements and markets of the big cities to deep rural enclaves, with every possible form of traditional artwork – and then some.
There's a lot of new work in traditional media, with artists constantly developing the African crafts repertoire. These range from pretty tableware, Christmas tree decorations and magnificent embroidered cloths to the simplest of items, such as keyrings and candle-holders.
In addition to the standard materials such as beads, grass, leather, fabric and clay, pieces are made using telephone wire, plastic bags, petrol cans and bottle tops – even food tin labels are used to create brightly coloured papier mache bowls.With characteristic inventiveness, South Africans have adapted every possible medium to a market that feeds both locals and tourists.
On sale on many a South African street corner are objects made of wire, ranging from representations of the globe to cars and motorcycles – which are capable of manipulated movement – to joke cellphones and working radios.
Here is a small collection of some that I proudly own:
"A WORK OF ART IS THE UNIQUE RESULT OF A UNIQUE TEMPERAMENT"
OSCAR WILDE
You have a very nice collection. African art is also quite popular in Europe and there are people that like to collect it. My brother-in-law has a collection of wooden children's toys.
ReplyDeletenot even a fraction of my collection, my whole house is full of it, we even have wild life puzzles we did as a family framed and hung on the walls, the pillows and covers are also African inspired lol
DeleteWhat a wonderful collect you have, Marianne :-)) Having seen some of your photos of various arts and crafts places over the last couple of years, I knew SA has a rich heritage in these areas.
ReplyDeleteI see you've closed you Multiply page, the die is cast!!
yep, closed it ................ felt rather to leave of own accord than being thrown out ! I am like that *winks*
DeleteA very well done collage! The images are surely underlining your words that "South Africans are a crafty bunch".
ReplyDeleteThank you Amalie, I had no idea how difficult it is to photograph ornaments
DeleteI like that you have so many varying degrees of mediums in your collection. Definitely some drool worthy stuff!
ReplyDeletedid you see the blogs I did when shopping around with my friends daughter that came out from the UK, now she shopped. Anything you like can buy it and ship it.
DeleteI would love to go there and shop till I dropped.
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful collection and presented beautifully.
Welcome to your new home too Marianne.
Huggles.
Thank you Shayna, nice to see you too.
DeleteCome on over, I will show you crafters markets, that will have your mouth drop open, bring your credit card.
Wonderful collage of handiwork. The words so true.
ReplyDeleteMy Entry
Thank you Anders, sorry for being so late with entry. It was a lovely theme, which I immediately knew what I wanted to do.
DeleteNice collage of your collection, Marianne! South-African crafts are familiar, to me. There is a yearly crafts fair held in Lisbon, which I never miss visiting and get my wallet lighter. I have several South African crafts such as those small-sized cutlery and that beaded doll.
ReplyDeleteaaaaaaaaaaha, I should know the well travelled Belita, would be collecting too. Mwah !!
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