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There's an art to making a living
Shelly Banjo, The Star (SA)
July 27, 2006

http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3357457

Wires, beads and bare hands are the tools many immigrants use to make a living in South Africa.

For Naison Ndlovu and Givemore Richard, who began their lives in South Africa making everything from small roses to life-size motorcycles, drawing and painting is where their passions lay.

Eighteen-year-old Ndlovu and 24-year-old Richard, both refugees from Zimbabwe, were the first students of the Taxi Art Education Programme. Initiated in June 2005, the programme offers free art classes through David Kruts Publishing.

Ndlovu and Richard thought walking into David Kruts publishing house was a gamble, but they yearned to find any way possible to get more involved with the arts.

"Many people come to me for help on a daily basis but they showed a real commitment," said Krut, who brought Ndlovu and Richard off the streets by helping to pay their rent and providing them with art supplies.

"They are now learning how the arts allow people to assimilate into a society," says Krut.

Krut said he only supports the programme and that the real credit goes to Regi Mental, a writer and administrator for the programme, and the artists who take part. Mental run free art classes every Friday from 11am to 1 pm at the Johannesburg Central City Library and a new satellite programme at the Diepkloof zone one library every Wednesday from 10am-12 noon.

The programme brings in art teachers, local artists and students to work in a variety of mediums - from drawing to sculpture and even music.

"Everyone faces difficult situations and many people don't know how to express their feelings," said Luis Yodinko an immigrant from Mozambique.

Advocating visual literacy, the programme emphasises appreciation and understanding of arts as well as ways to use art as a communicative outlet.

"Art and music help people find themselves," says Yodinko.

Yodinko and other artists are learning that there is another side to the life of an artist: business.

"We hope to create the possibility for sustainable careers in the arts," says Mental. "We believe art facilitates in the creation and cementing of personal identity and that participation in arts-related activities gives individuals a sense of purpose and accomplishment."

The Diepkloof library project is the first of many satellite library programmes that Mental hopes to start around the city to show people that art is a passion but can also generate an income.

Most of those attending are street children or unemployed adults who have not completed schooling. Many are immigrants from surrounding African countries who lack education, language skills or work opportunities.

The programme is modelled after a series of "Taxi-Art books" by David Krut publishing.

Each book comes with a supplement that promotes the teaching of art and arts-related skills.

"Art exists as a part of life and we want to bring South African art to the attention of the country," says Krut.

The programme helps artists create their own portfolio to present to future employers.

Ndlovu continues to dream of the future.

"My dream is to make a living out of art and have my own gallery," he says.

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