During the months of May and June, the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) team have been working remotely to ensure a continuation of services for their stakeholders all over South Africa. The lockdown has been a challenging time for all but especially for the creative sector which saw all live events being cancelled and forcing the move to digital platforms. From their homes the operations team have stayed in touch with its ACT family and created new ways of working together digitally. To stay motivated and inspired the team, all artists in their own right, participated in a short profile activity to share what they have been working on during lockdown and how they have stayed sane during the pandemic.
Katlego Modiri | Fine Artist, ACT Administrator
Katlego is a conceptual printmaker, who has been practicing for ten years without any plans of stopping. Having graduated at Tshwane University of Technology of Fine Art in the practice of Printmaking and Glass. He is currently the Secretariat for the Arts and Culture Trust for the past two years to date. Additionally, he works on the Trusts Building Blocks program as Co- project manager. If not at the office, he goes back to his practice as a Fine Artist creating works that introduce thought-provoking and personally moving artworks about self-introspection.
What is he currently working on during lockdown?
I am currently one of the selected artists for the 2020 RMB Talent Unlocked Alumni Programme, for the second time, leading up to the Turbine Art Fair 2020 (TAF20).
Exhibition Statement: Katlego studies the emotional journey of youth through line. Expressing the pressures felt by our youngsters today; all their frustrations, fears, hopes, dreams and joy. By stripping the subjects of any recognisable identity, he also strips us the viewer of the constraints of preconceived ideas and subjectivity, allowing us to see and experience only the emotion contained within the line. The immediate transfer of Katlego’s emotions onto paper.
What do you miss most under lockdown?
Like most people I miss the social interactions. Being part of the active art spaces, whether is going to an exhibition or artist studio spaces or hubs.
What do you appreciate most about how your life has changes since lockdown?
The lockdown has put me into a different gear, that it’s made me look at alternative ways to engage with the public. Whether it’s my job or my art as a business. It’s made me look at different avenues, which I’m enthusiastic about exploring.
Profile Photo by: Ramón Mellett
Work in Progress: Untitled
Materials: Mixed Media
Jessica Glendinning | Writer, ACT Project Manager
Jessica Glendinning grew up in Gaborone, Botswana as part of a large artistic family. She has a honours degrees in Drama and Creative Writing and has recently submitted her MA in Cultural Policy and Management. She worked as a freelance stage manager before joining the Arts & Culture Trust in 2015, where she is currently the Programme Manager for the Scholarships and Development Programmes.
What are you currently working on during lockdown?
Having just submitted my Masters in Cultural Policy and Management I am looking forward to getting back to my creative writing. The ideas and doodles have been piling up for the last few years with no time for any serious application, so having taken a few months off I’m looking forward to getting back to a writing routine. I have a children’s book on its sixth draft and a number of other projects which I’m excited to get reacquainted with.
I’m spending most of my free time reading and in my garden. There is a lot to do at this time of year. Gardening is a great way to stay sane and feel productive when the world outside feels so beyond our control. My ballet class, which we’ve had to move online, has also helped to keep me focussed on health and fitness, which is so important.
What do you miss most under lockdown?
I really miss sharing meals with my friends, and my family who have had to cancel trips to South Africa.
What do you appreciate most about how your life has changes since lockdown?
Not having to sit in traffic every day is fantastic. I’m sure it is having an impact on our beautiful urban forest too. I’ve really loved seeing how nature has bounced back with the lower levels of pollution around the world.
Book in progress: Angelfish
Profile Photo by: Themba Vilakazi
Jessica Denyschen | Writer, ACT Communications and Marketing Co-Ordinator
Jessica Denyschen (33), born in Pongola KZN and raised in Jozi, is a queer writer and creative and cultural arts entrepreneur. Since the age of four she has always had an intimate relationship with the arts and has been performing, creating and writing since she could stand. She completed her BADA and MADA at WITS University, where she currently holds the position of Associate Researcher through her dance research company, The Ar(t)chive NPC, the continent’s only South African Contemporary Dance Archive. In 2018 she published her debut poetry collection; The magic, the madness and the loss through Poetree Publications. She lives with her soon to be wife and three huskies in Westdene.
What are you currently working on to stay sane and inspired during lockdown?
I recently started my new post as Communications and Marketing Co-ordinator at the Arts & Culture Trust at the beginning of May (Yes, right in the middle of lockdown level 5) after 12 years of freelancing as an arts entrepreneur, filmmaker and producer. Apart from my daily duties for the Trust, I manage research and technical activities, with colleague and friend Tammy Ballantyne, at The Ar(t)chive NPC where I am the company Director.
Other current projects:
QueerShorts:
I am managing and producing, with fellow writers and editors, a queer short story writing project I dreamt up in January titled QueerShorts. The aim was to inspire more writers (emerging and professional) to generate more local queer literature. The first iteration of this project is now in the final editing phase and the website and first four stories will launch in June just in time for Pride month on www.queershorts.co.za
UJ Pandemic Project:
I own a video production company (www.phoenixandowl.co.za) and I am working on the University of Johannesburg’s Pandemic Project (https://arts.uj.ac.za/news/#news) as the video editor for the dance segment (Link). This project was created to support artists during this crazy time where there is little to no funding relief or work available due to the lockdown.
FATC ANGEL Project:
Though The Ar(t)chive NPC (www.theartchive.co.za) and Phoenix and Owl Pty LTD I am collaborating with The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative on the FACT ANGEL Project by producing a video to inspire people around SA to donate to a dedicated fund in support families in deep distress in rural Mpumalanga during the Covid pandemic. You can support the campaign through BackaBuddy (https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/fatcs-angel-project), or by scanning their BUSQR code in the images attached to this post.
What do you miss most under lockdown?
I miss my family and friends, I haven’t been able to visit my mom for two months, she lives in North West and hopping provinces isn’t allowed yet. I am missing hikes and travelling and sampling the local beer wherever I go.
What do you appreciate most about how your life has changes since lockdown?
Lockdown and the rise of Covid19 globally has really pulled things into perspective, I feel really grateful for the incredible support system in my life and I am lucky enough to form part of a group of amazing friends doing incredible things for people in need. I am also in awe of nature, as I always have been, to take control, to say stop, listen. We need to take personal and collective responsibility for our future by respecting nature and each other.
On a serious note:
GBV is real in this country and it breaks my heart, turning on the news in triggering. I stand with women and children and all people on the margins who are grossly affected by the actions of violent men and violent people. Your time is up abusers. Responsibility is coming.
BLACK LIVES MATTER. Now more than ever we see the inequality and disparity deeply rooted in our society, here at home and all over the world. We cannot look away from the injustice. We have to demand better from our government, and we HAVE to hold them accountable. We also have to demand better of ourselves and each other. My prayers go out to Sibusiso Amos, Collins Khoza, Petrus Miggels and Adane Emmanuel and all the people whose lives are destroyed daily by injustice. POC, I see you.
