Unframed is a podcast exploring the contemporary arts in South Africa. Through conversations with visual arts professionals - including artists, curators, gallerists, writers, collectors - we hope to gain inspiration and insight into the industry and people’s careers. The series is hosted by Anthea Pokroy, a Johannesburg-based artist and photographer.
S04 E07: ‘The Art Prize’ with Bulumko Mbete and Buhlebezwe Siwani
In this final episode of the season, we delve into the multifaceted world of art prizes. with two remarkable artists – Bulumko Mbete and Buhlebezwe Siwani, each bringing their unique perspective and experiences to the table.
Bulumko, the 2024 Absa L’Atelier Gerard Sokoto Award winner and 2023 recipient of the Cassirer Welz Award, is currently doing her MFA at Carnegie Mellon University in the US. Her practice reflects her deep exploration of craft and design methodologies, particularly those traditionally performed by women in Southern Africa. She offers candid insights into the transformative potential of art prizes in shaping artists careers, alongside a nuanced reflection on the uncertainties and complexities they entail.
Amsterdam-based Buhlebezwe was the recipient of the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award in 2021 and has recently been shortlisted amongst 21 artists from all over the world for the 2024 Future Generations Art Prize. Buhlebezwe, whose practice explores spirituality through performance, installation, photography, and more, shares insights into the impact of these awards on her practice, and offers advice to emerging artists on applying for prizes while emphasizing the importance of resilience and kindness in the art world.
In separate conversations with each artist which will feature in two parts in this episode, we examine the implications, benefits, and challenges of both grassroots prizes and highly esteemed prizes. In both interviews, we navigate a spectrum of perspectives, embracing both the optimism surrounding artist prizes' potential to elevate artist visibility and the healthy skepticism that prompts us to critically examine their broader implications.
Season 4 is made possible by the generous support of the PESP funding by the National Arts Council and Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
Subscribe, review, like and follow @unframedpodcast
Production for Season 4:
Anthea Pokroy (Project Lead & Host)
Nkgopoleng Moloi (Co-Host)
Niamh Walsh-Vorster (Project Manager)
The Audio Room & This Audio is Visual (Sound Engineers)
Alyx Carolus (Social Media)
Sanele Balintaba (Design) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/unframedpodcast)
11 Apr 2024
S04 E06: ‘The Biennale’ with Clive Kellner and Ame Bell
In this episode, we delve into the role of the Biennale, a pivotal contemporary art exhibition in the global art landscape. We are joined by Clive Kellner, Executive Director of the Joburg Contemporary Art Foundation, whose career spans 25 years and holds significant involvement in South Africa's art history since the country's democracy in 1994, notably, and pertinent to this conversation, with the historic Johannesburg Biennale. Also with us is Ame Bell, Director at David Krut Projects and curator of the South African Pavillion at the 2022 Venice Biennale.
Clive brings insights into the historic 1995 and 1997 Johannesburg Biennale, reflecting on the impact, significance and challenges of these events. Ame shares her experiences and perspectives from curating the South African Pavillion in Venice, offering insights into the contemporary dynamics and global influence of biennales.
Together, we explore the meaningful contributions and limitations of biennales within both local and global contexts, from accessibility and representation to the broader impact of large-scale exhibitions on the global stage and the diverse participants they attract.
Season 4 is made possible by the generous support of the PESP funding by National Arts Council and Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
Subscribe, review, like and follow @unframedpodcast
Production for Season 4:
Anthea Pokroy (Project Lead & Host)
Nkgopoleng Moloi (Co-Host)
Niamh Walsh-Vorster (Project Manager)
The Audio Room & This Audio is Visual (Sound Engineers)
Alyx Carolus (Social Media)
Sanele Balintaba (Design) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/unframedpodcast)
26 Mar 2024
S04 E05: ‘The Museum’ with Storm Janse van Rensburg and Kutlwano Mokgojwa
In this episode, we are joined by special guests Storm Janse van Rensburg and Kutlwano Mokgojwa to delve into the pivotal role museums play in shaping South Africa's arts landscape.
Kutlwano, an art curator, writer, and administrator at the Wits Art Museum or WAM in Johannesburg, provides an insightful overview of WAM, tracing its funding journey and commitment to conserving, exhibiting, and democratizing contemporary and historical art.
Storm is Senior Curator and Head of Curatorial Affairs at Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town. With over 25 years of experience, he shares his firsthand accounts of South Africa's vibrant art scene during the mid-90s, reflecting on the transformative power of museums in fostering creativity, imagination, and storytelling.
The conversation navigates through WAM's evolution, Zeitz MOCAA’s impact, and their enduring influence on South Africa's cultural narrative.
Season 4 is made possible by the generous support of the PESP funding by National Arts Council and Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
Subscribe, review, like and follow @unframedpodcast
Production for Season 4:
Anthea Pokroy (Project Lead & Host)
Nkgopoleng Moloi (Co-Host)
Niamh Walsh-Vorster (Project Manager)
The Audio Room & This Audio is Visual (Sound Engineers)
Alyx Carolus (Social Media)
Sanele Balintaba (Design) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/unframedpodcast)
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
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