Times Of Swaziland: SWAZI ARTISTS, ARTISANS IN USA  ART IN EMBASSIES DOCUMENTARY

SWAZI ARTISTS, ARTISANS IN USA  ART IN EMBASSIES DOCUMENTARY
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BY PHUMLA DLAMINI  on 23/03/2017 07:38:00


MBABANE – The United States Department of States has released a short
documentary on Art in Embassies.
The documentary features local artisans as well as those from the USA. Featured
in the documentary is designer  JeremPaul’s Khulekani Msweli, Yebo!
ArtReach’s Peter Armstrong and a number of  Swazi women who are also fine
artists namely , Zanele Buthelezi, Phindile Mamba, Nonzwakazi Dlamini and
Catherine Dlamini.
Their video which was posted online was captioned, “Art in Embassies is
delighted to present this short film that highlights some of the art and artists
represented in the collection of the new US Embassy in Swaziland”.
In the documentary JeremPaul’s Khulekani states how the pieces he designed for
the local USA Embassy in Ezulwini bridge the gap between American culture and
Swazi culture.
He relates that when he came up with the pieces, he asked himself how one would
within the American context achieve a fair gap between both cultures.
He went on to say that Swaziland is rich in its culture and emphasised his pride
in how the nation has been able to retain its customs and cultural events.
“I am never short of inspiration because Swaziland is rich in its culture,”
he added.
Peter Armstrong’s art pieces are sculpted birds called Hadedas.
They drape from the high ceilings of the US Embassy. Speaking about the birds he
sculpted, the artist states that he was inspired by the fact that a lot of
Swazis are familiar with the sound of this species of birds.
The four other Swazi women featured in the same documentary’s art pieces are
called ‘Aspects of Love’ and they are also part of the collection of Swazi
artwork.