Vision Statement
To advise, manage and create platforms for visual artists and selected crafters to exhibit and sell their works
Mission Statement
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To constantly scan the arts and crafts environment for opportunities to exhibit.
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To introduce artists and crafters to the art world i.e. galleries, markets.
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To encourage and advise artists and crafters on the compilation of a biography and or presentations for introductions and exhibitions.
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To assist artists and crafters with marketing on social media.
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To advise and assist with the invitations, sourcing speaker/s, caterers and set-up/mounting of exhibitions.
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To identify other appropriate artists for group exhibitions when needed.
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To liaise on behalf of the artist/crafter with gallery owners, collectors and other interested parties where and when needed.
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To advise and assist with identifying a cost effective framer and correct methods of framing.
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To keep track of all communications and services and provide feedback to artist/crafter on a regular basis.
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To create a platform where arts and crafts information is shared with the public.
About Manda Bester
I am an Artist, Arts and Crafts Consultant, Brand Builder, Curator and Marketer. During the past few years I have completed research trips to all the nine South African Provinces and selected African countries, to identify established and up and coming artists and crafters for introduction to the art loving public. My detailed CV provides all the necessary background in terms of my experience in the arts. It gives me great satisfaction to assist artists and crafters and to create platforms for them to exhibit and sell their artworks.
In my own art I am concerned and intrigued by life, birth, death and rebirth. My art depicts the cycle of life and also my emotions and my experiences through my dreams. It is also a regeneration of the self through the process of self-discovery and coming to terms with the unexplainable.
It is in my dreams where I either escape or is haunted by the unexplainable and my fears. I believe it is our experiences that mould and form us and sometimes we have to be exposed to pain more than once before we learn the lessons and appreciation for life, the value of friendship, gratitude and the power of overcoming our fears. It is about human consciousness and the unconscious.
Artists often use their art to voice what they can’t put into words. It is the link between the past, present and future. It is through my art that I want to share with the viewer my experiences. It is a way to communicate, to understand, to survive and to share the language of my soul.
I want to challenge the viewer to think critically about the meaning and context of the images and its relationship to our daily experiences and fears and how we have to come to terms with it.
Curriculum Vitae of founder Manda Bester
2003 – Feb 2013 Curator and Project Manager of the Development Bank of SA art collection
2003, 2005, 2007 Initiator and Co-Curator of the DBSA Soul of Africa Art Exhibition. Art research was conducted in all the nine South African provinces including, Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Mozambique and Namibia.
2003, 2005, 2007 Project Manager of a Visiting Artist programme for artists participating in die Soul of Africa Art Exhibition. I also included established SA artists in this programme as mentors.
2003 Won Chief Executive’s Green Award for creating a platform for African Visual Artists to exhibit and sell their artworks.
2004, 2006 Curator and Adjudicator of a national Schools Art Competition for the Development Bank of Southern Africa, SA Youth in Support of Development.
2006 Initiated and managed an Arts Awareness Programme for Educators from the North West province in collaboration with the North West Department of Education and Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
2007 Initiated and coordinated an exterior sculpture garden for the Development Bank of Southern Africa in collaboration with Fried Contemporary Art Gallery and Studio.
2007 Adjudicator for the Contemporary Visions of Southern Africa exhibition in collaboration with SANAVA and Pretoria Art Museum.
2008 Curator of an Art Auction for the Legal Resources Centre held in Rosebank.
2008, 2009 Initiator and team member of a Community Mural Art project in Attridgeville and Durban to beautify public spaces in collaboration with Fried Contemporary Art Gallery and Studio and the University of Pretoria’s Visual Arts Department.
2012 Graduated from UNISA in BA (Culture and Arts) Multimedia Studies, Visual Multimedia
2013 Initiated, coordinated, mounted and curated a group art exhibition Kaleidoscope for 40 participating artists (established as well as up-and-coming). I also participated as an artist in this exhibition.
2014 Coordinated a sculpture art exhibition Dimensions of Life for Elno Art Gallery.
I participate as a guest speaker at visual art exhibitions upon request, curate exhibitions, project manage arts initiatives, enjoy visiting art galleries and collecting artworks, watching art movies, reading and painting.
The link to my personal website www.rot-renew-rebirth.co.za