The art of giving for everyone

FROM knitted dolls to hand-blown glass designs and billboard bags, there’s a special gift for everyone, no matter their size or taste, at the BuzzArt22 Christmas fair at the KZNSA art gallery in Glenwood.

Artists, beaders and crafters have outdone themselves by bringing a fresh perspective to this year’s theme which centres on sustainability.

Not only have they stuck to the brief and turned trash into treasure, but each piece is a talking point.

Who knew that old highway billboards can be turned into funky bags? Hillcrest-based E’yako Green has done just that. Their recycled bags, which include iPad, toiletry and cosmetic bags as well as green corporate gifts, are made from billboards and polyester marketing waste.

Architects Paul and Colleen Wygers have developed a lamp and manufactured it from PET plastic used to make cooldrink bottles.

The lamps, in an array of colours, are flat packed into little boxes and the buyer has to assemble it, almost like a puzzle, which is part of the fun.

“I design cities and buildings, but this is the opposite extreme in terms of scale, and it comes about because of my interest in colour theory,” Paul said.

Amid the soap, candles and bamboo grooming brushes are multicoloured tablecloths, feather soft cushions and collectable ceramics.

Beaming with pride, the gallery’s executive director, Angela Shaw, points at ceramics by Nikhil Tricam and Nindya Bucktowar and says: “Those are going to be collectibles.”

The two, who own a company called Kalki Ceramics, won the Nando’s

Hot Young Designer Talent Search last month.

Shaw said this year the KZNSA and Woza Moya Ixopo collaborated to develop a range known as the Ifafa Valley KZNSA Capsule.

Designs from the Woza Moya embroidery team were scanned and turned into graphic designs which were screen-printed onto tote bags and T-shirts. They were also printed on gift cards and gift wrap.

She said the idea was to present the collection as a single gift and a portion of the proceeds would go back to Woza Moya’s embroidery team.

“It’s designed to be a gift range so it’s very affordable. We’ve kept the prices super low,” said Shaw.

An eclectic clothing display by celebrated designer Amanda Laird Cherry graces the centre of the marketplace.

Shaw said the outfits were crafted from off cuts and turned into designer outfits, proof of the designer’s commitment to sustainable fashion.

Tapestries from the Rorke’s Drift art centre add a splash of colour.

Shaw said: “That’s an invaluable art centre in terms of KZN heritage, but also for sustainable livelihoods for people who live pretty remotely ... in the Isandlwana area in northern KZN.”

She said they had also used the Rorke’s Drift textiles to make a cushion range and smoking jackets. “You’re not going to get it anywhere else.”

Artist and BuzzArt22 social media manager Alka Dass said it was the biggest local artisanal craft market in Durban.

“There are many markets in Durban but these products are made solely by Durbanites. It’s magical that it comes from someone’s hand to someone’s home. The gallery is the middle man, but it accommodates all that talent in one place,” said Dass.

She said each item came with its own story and background, which made it less clinical and stuffy, and more exciting and inviting to get a “sense of Durban culture”.

Trading hours for the gallery remain unchanged but it will also be open on Monday, December 19.