WSU FINE ART GRADUATE BUILDS A HAVEN FOR ASPIRING ARTISTS

In the midst of a global pandemic, Walter Sisulu University Fine Art graduate, Nwabisa Nkonyana set out to create a platform for aspiring visual and fine artists in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, with the formation of Ntinga Khozi Fine Art Centre.

The centre that she runs from a converted RDP house in Khayelitsha, functions as an art gallery, a school of art for children, and a tourist attraction that enables artists to sell their works.

The 27-year old King William’s Town-born artist identified the need for a centre upon discovering that very few platforms existed in the township for young artists to exhibit and sell their work. There was also one government school in the whole area that taught art to children.

Nkonyana asserted that these circumstances, as well as the need to inspire other artists to start their own initiatives, sparked the idea for Ntinga Khozi during the country’s level four lockdown in 2020.

“It was basically about overcoming the challenges faced by visual and fine artists in townships and the lack of platforms and resources. I thought it was important to start something right here and not look at the more established places, most of which are based in the Central Business District. I also wanted to inspire other artists to do the same,” said Nkonyana.

Upon establishing Ntinga Khozi, Nkonyana started giving free art classes to youngsters from Khayelitsha, to equip them with skills while helping them deal with a myriad of issues, which comprised their home lives and the township environment.

“I find art to be very therapeutic to children because they go through a lot; from rape, abuse, and losing parents. They then end up resorting to destructive coping mechanisms like drugs and prostitution. At the centre we encourage young kids to express their pain through art,” said Nkonyana.

Being an entirely independent establishment has meant that Ntinga Khozi’s survival is dependent on Nkonyeni and her artists. They have hosted multiple exhibitions, which attracted tourists and locals alike, enabling exhibitors to earn an income and plant back into the centre. 

Visual Artist Nontyatyambo Khubule is one of the young people who have benefited from the establishment of Ntinga Khozi. 

She said: “Nwabisa is a very motivated artist. She showed me that as women and as black people, we could stand on our own without the backing of the government or big corporations. Everything that happens within the centre is through her initiative and hard work. She has inspired me to believe in myself and the gifts God gave me.”

Nkonyana obtained her National Diploma and Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Fine Art from Walter Sisulu University in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Moving forward, she plans to expand the art centre, accommodate more children and artists, and possibly establish one in the Eastern Cape.

- Yanga Ziwele