20 Fine Years

The Bag Factory and Artist Proof Studio

Presented by Gauteng Provincial Government

The Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation is supporting a joint project between Gauteng’s two leading visual arts nonprofit organisations, namely The Bag Factory Artists’ Studios and The Artist Proof Studio. The Bag Factory offers artists the opportunity to pioneer unmapped territories and test their limits in the spirit of exchange and global connectedness by focusing on a programme that stands for inclusion and diversity. Artist Proof Studio (APS) is an art education centre that specialises in quality print¬making through a variety of diverse partnerships. By providing state-of-the-art equipment and materials they facilitate print collaborations between trained print technicians and professional artists.

‘Twenty’ is the number that rings loudly throughout this project. Both the Bag Factory and APS are celebrat¬ing their 20th anniversary of operation this year. To mark this they are producing a catalogue of 20 prints by a selection from the numerous fine artists who have been involved with their projects over the period. Twenty artists have agreed to participate in this project by creating a print each for the portfolio. Artists such as Da¬vid Koloane, Patrick Mautloa, Colbert Mashile, Helen Sebidi, Richard Penn, Velile Soha, Senzo Shabangu, Senzeni Maraselle, Dumisani Mabaso, Charles Nkosi, Vincent Baloyi, Gordon Gabashane, Kim Berman, Jacob Molefe, Pontso Sikhosana, Philemon Hlungwane, Motsamai Thabane, Lehlogonolo Mashaba, Nel¬son Makamo and Paul Molete will be featured in the portfolio.

The Bag Factory and Artist Proof Studio will be presenting the results of this project at the FNB Joburg Art Fair in September this year where orders for the portfolios will be taken.

Founded by David Koloane and Robert Loder, the Bag Factory has provided one of the very few, and at times the only, dedicated spaces for visual arts studios in Johannesburg. Over the years it has focused on developing a programme that stands for inclusion and diversity, built on an idea of open access, particularly to individual constituents and community groups who have been historically excluded from mainstream education and artistic resources.

Kim Berman and Nhlanhla Xaba founded Artist Proof Studio, a community-based printmaking studio, in 1991. Their professional printmaking studio provides state of the art equipment and materials to facilitate print col¬laborations between trained print technicians and professional artists.
The Bag Factory and Artist Proof Studio are collaborating to celebrate 20 years of artistic development and creative passion. Over this period the studio’s have seen many extraordinary artists participate in its pro¬grammes, reside in its studios and exhibit in their Gallery. “20 Fine Years” aims to investigate the development of these organisations, the artists who have participated in its programmes and ultimately of arts in South Africa.
20 artists where selected to produce one print each, ultimately creating a portfolio of 20 pieces of work.