Die Evangeliese Lutherse Kerk Kuns-en Handewerksentrum, Rorke's Drift

Abstract

Die Evangeliese Lutherse Kerk se Kuns- en Handwerksentrum by Rorke's Drift wat op die grens van Natal en KwaZulu geleë is, is 'n unieke onderneming wat as opleidingsentrum en gemeenskapsprojek met hulle Afrika-geinspireerde handwerk bekendheid in Suid-Afrika en in die buiteland verwerf het. Die behoefte na die stigting van 'n sentrum in Suid-Afrika om plaaslike Afrika-kuns te bevorder het grootliks ontstaan as gevolg van die Swartman se veranderde omstandighede. 'n Jong Sweedse egpaar, Peder en Ulla Gowenius, is deur die Sweedse Komitee vir die Bevordering van Afrika-kuns en -handwerk in 1961 gewerf om in Suid-Afrika te kom werk. Die algemene oogmerke van die sentrum wat in 1962 op die geskiedkundige terrein van Rorke's Drift gevestig is, was om die artistieke erfenis van Afrika te bevorder en die Swartman se trots in hierdie erfenis te voed. Werksgeleenthede is geskep, afsetgebiede vir die handwerk is gevind en die lewensgehalte van die omgewing is verhef. Die handwerksentrum waar weefwerk, pottebakkery en gedrukte tekstiel deur Zoeloemense geproduseer word, vorm die spil waarom Rorke's Drift draai. Afrika-kuns reageer op sosiale en politieke omwentelinge wat plaasvind. Nuwe tipes kunstenaars vervul nuwe funksies en gee uitdrukking aan nuwe idees. Hedendaagse Afrika-kuns word vinnig ryker en meer veelsoortig. Die Rorke's Drift-sentrum wat daarna streef om 'n unieke erfenis relevant te hou, is 'n lofwaardige projek waarvan die vrugte ook deel van ons erfenis vorm.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church Art and Crafts Centre at Rorke's Drift which is situated on the border of Natal and Kwazulu, is a unique venture which has won a name for itself as a training centre and as a community project with African inspired crafts. The need for the establishment of a centre in South Africa to promote local African art was largely due to the Black man's changing circumstances. A young Swedish couple, Peder and Ulla Gowenius, were recruited by the Swedish Committee for the Advancement of African arts and crafts in 1961 to work in South Africa. The general objectives of the centre which was founded on the historical battle field of Rorke's Drift in 1962, were to nurture the artistic heritage of Africa and to stimulate the Black man's pride in this heritage. Opportunities for employment were created, outlets for crafts were found and the quality of life was improved. The crafts centre where weaving, pottery and printed textiles are produced, forms the pin of Rorke's Drift. African art reacts to social and political upheavals. A new breed of artist plays new roles and voices new ideas. Contemporary African art is becoming rich and varied. The centre at Rorke's Drift which is aspiring to keep a unique heritage relevant, is a commendable project. The fruits of their labour also form part of our heritage.