“when was the last time you danced? | when was the last time you danced?
well come rock with me baby | dance with me darling
step with me sweetheart | the world is watching” – – Gnarles Barkley, “The Last Time”
{everyday the 14th}
I love the rich, bold patterns of the Ndebele tribe. The Ndebele artists, primarily women, rely on the environment for art supplies; water and soil for pigment and chicken feathers for paint brushes. Their patterns cover the exterior of their homes communicating rituals and rites of passages. Ndebele by Margaret Courtney-Clarke is a wonderful exploration of Ndebele art which includes intricate beadwork. It’s a wonderful book to have in your library.
{peace}
Esther Mahlangu is a 80-years old, South African painter. She belongs to the Ndebele people, a tribe known for their colorful and symmetrical patterns. A master of the craft, Mahlangu has traveled the world and painted everything from walls to canvases to cars. BMW has a long running series, Art Car, where artists are invited to use a BMW as a canvas. In 1991, Mahlangu became the first woman and the 12th artist to complete an Art Car.
Though she has garnered international recognition, the artist has chosen to reside in her village where she’s opened a school for young artists. I call that the epitome of {fly}.
pics + brushes 