28 February 2025: A dazzling display of 100 world-class artworks from 71 Eastern Cape creatives is on show at the eighth Lithuba Lakho Competition and Exhibition at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum in Gqeberha.
An initiative of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality through the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum and the Red Location Art Gallery, this year’s edition runs from 20 February to 22 March. The exhibition gives creatives an opportunity to improve market access for their products. It is also an avenue for artists to measure the quality of their products in relation to their peers and to source new talent.
“The exhibition and competition is designed to promote export quality craft from a diverse range of disciplines. On display are artworks ranging from traditional beadwork pieces to oil paintings, ceramics, textiles and printmaking. Cash prizes are up for grabs for the top creative works across six categories – three for visual art and three for crafts. There is a R15,000 first prize, R10,000 for second and R5,000 for third, which will go toward the development of the businesses of the winners. The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalogue promoting the selected works. The works on show at Lithuba Lakho will be for sale but as high-end, once-off objects.
“We went out on a call looking for works by artists who work and live in the Eastern Cape and who have made a significant contribution to the art of the region. The call-out was open to all artists 18 years or older. This is a critical platform to broaden market access opportunities for the creative industry in the Eastern Cape. The ECDC is committed to help creatives to improve the quality of their products, productivity and their global competitiveness. The ECDC is currently building partnerships in national and international creative spaces, and this platform will help to identify opportunities to promote and exhibit Eastern Cape visual art talent,” says ECDC Gqeberha regional manager Vuyokazi Zozi.
Zozi says the ECDC also provides opportunities for local creatives to take their products to global markets. The ECDC’s support to creatives includes export licensing getting them ready for the rigours of the export market. The ECDC also recognises the job creation ability of the creative industry.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum director Emma O’Brien says this year’s edition was designed to attract visual artworks which have an emotional impact, expressing a unique vision, idea or feelings.
“We were also searching for entrants whose work tells a unique story through a well-executed medium of visual art. The creative works on display over the next few weeks demonstrate the mastery of a tangible skill and functional goods which serve a purpose.
“We are proud that this year’s exhibition and competition responded to the energy on the ground. It reflects young voices through partnerships with universities. The result is a dazzling creative showcase of art forms from traditional beadwork pieces to oil paintings, ceramics, textiles and printmaking,” O’Brien says.
Author: Lunga Mtshizana