“INHEEMS”: A Celebration of Indigenous Art by Hessequa High School Students
This is how the “Inheems: Tiener Kuns-kompetisie” (Indigenous: Teen Art Competition) was born!
The GCBR, Hessequa Art Route, and Hessequa Libraries joined forces to develop and implement this initiative, united by the potential benefits of this project.
The panel of judges from the Hessequa Art Route certainly had a challenge determining the winners within the four categories of drawing, painting, photography and digital art.
During the build-up to the exhibition, various individuals from the GCBR, Hessequa Art Route, Hessequa Municipality, and the community assisted in planning, organising, marketing and setting up the event. Thanks to the generous donations of glorious fynbos we received from Geel Mossie, Mont Blanc Flora and Van Den Berg Boerdery, the venue was transformed to reflect the theme perfectly.
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2023 “INHEEMS: TIENER KUNS-KOMPETISIE”:
Drawing
1st place: Bailey Lotterie; 2nd place: Zanél Meyer and 3rd place: Marni Nothnagel.
Merit awards: Georgina Thornley, Monica Ferrer & Marinda Koen.
Painting
Merit awards: Hilè du Plessis; Robyn Minnie & Rivkah van der Merwe.
Photography
Merit awards: Merit: Asheequa Booysen; Lee-Ann Beukes & JJ Pfaff.
Graphic Design
We were so pleased with the turnout and the support for this first-time initiative, but did not anticipate the depth of the impact it would make. The expression of gratitude that has poured in from students, parents, teachers and the community has been overwhelming.
This was a truly collaborative project where so many people went above and beyond to make the event a success, for which we are immensely grateful! A few special mentions and heartfelt thanks to the following people:
Ursula Oosthuizen, and her incredible team from the Hessequa Library Manager;
Marilise Lombard, Janet Muller, Nicole Hein, Nakita Joubert, Sonja Margerison, CJ de Swardt and Louise Kluyts from the Hessequa Art Route;
Linda Fletcher, Riette Error, Lee-Ann Pretorius and Nelisiwe Khusi from the GCBR;
Abassador “Lekker Nikki”, and Andrew Stroebel from the Hessequa Municipality.
Above all, we thank the teenagers of Hessequa for embracing this challenge and celebrating our indigenous wonders; your creativity and enthusiasm are inspiring!
As for Inheems 2024? Watch this space…
@lekker.nikki INHEEMS KUNS KOMPETISIE in Riversdale. #hessequa #artist #riversdale ♬ original sound - LekkerNikki
This initiative was featured in the South Cape Forum Newspaper several times; please refer to below links to read the various articles:
https://www.suidkaapforum.com/News/Article/General/tieners-kweek-natuurkuns-202310181203
https://www.suidkaapforum.com/News/Article/General/tieners-kweek-natuurkuns-202310190342
https://www.suidkaapforum.com/News/Article/General/natuurkliek-is-n-kunsfoto-202310231004
https://www.suidkaapforum.com/News/Article/General/niks-is-dan-mooier-202310260127
https://www.suidkaapforum.com/News/Article/General/inheems-projek-verlei-sintuie-202311011101
https://www.suidkaapforum.com/News/Article/General/grafiese-ontwerpe-beindruk-202311031057