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Monkeybiz
30
November - 30 January 2005 The bead becomes a very powerful tool in the hands of the Monkeybiz women of Cape Town, South Africa.
Predating any monetary system, the glass bead was formerly used to trade goods and services. We can see this trade and exchange as comparable to Monkeybiz's latter day exchange and dissemination of knowledge through its beaded work; for the Monkeybiz bead project educates both its women employees and patrons alike.
Founded in 2000 by Barbara Jackson, Shirley Fintz and Mataphelo Ngaka, the bead project emerged from the urgent need for income creation amongst Cape Town's poorest communities. This necessity was married to a passion for indigenous African art, and four years later we have the internationally acclaimed award-winning success that is Monkeybiz; a recent sell-out show in New York testifies to its growing popularity.
A non-profit organisation, Monkeybiz creates jobs for the most marginalized members of its local community. In fact, the project is completely community driven with all profits going back into the community and the women directly benefiting. Three hundred and fifty women now work under Barbara and Shirley's guidance, and many of these are the sole breadwinners in their households.
In addition to jobs, Monkeybiz generates awareness, having made it a priority to back up its HIV/AIDS education efforts with counselling. They have initiated a regular Wellness Clinic where a Lifeline Counsellor counsels the bead artists every week. She provides advice on HIV/AIDS and other health issues. They have also instituted a yoga program.
Clearly Barbara and Shirley have a vision for their project, but the strength of the work they highlight is immediately engaging. Monkeybiz could not have enjoyed the fantastic response it has from the global arts community, without the beaded pieces being so very charming or covetable.
Making authentic and original, yet contemporary and innovative beaded figures, the superlative skills of the women are immediately apparent. This is truly sophisticated craft.
Each piece is a unique one-off work of art and is signed by the artist. Showing alongside will be Uschi Stuart's large format photography of the women's collective. The women work in their own homes - so as not to leave their families to earn a living - and these images testify to an all-embracing creative energy channelled by the women into their pieces.
The Monkeybiz bead pieces will be showing at Flow across the month of December. Perhaps an appropriate point in the year at which to consider the severely marginalized and neglected women Monkeybiz helps, and the tremendous pride, confidence and self worth attained by them through this project.
This exhibition is initiated and supported by
Anglo American PLC. It is a continuation of their ongoing commitment to the
applied arts and its place in the wider community. The launch of the show is
on the eve of
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