Chris de Beer, HOD Jewellery Design at the Durban Institute of Technology (DIT) will present an exhibition of work created by himself in collaboration with Zulu craftspeople in the DIT Art Gallery from September 7 to 10.

The craftspeople that Chris has collaborated with include Zulu sandal makers who craft the sandals from white wall tyres, Shembe beadworkers as well as a craftswoman who weaves gold and silver rings using traditional Ilala weaving patterns. The exhibition aims to document the process of the collaboration between these various craftspeople as well as exhibiting the products of their collaboration. The rubber pieces on display at the exhibition were accepted for a prestigious contemporary jewellery exhibition in Munich earlier this year.

A further aim of the exhibition is to demonstrate why the production of artefacts, such as the ones on show, should attract research funding. Traditionally research funding in the arts goes mainly to authors of academic articles published in accredited journals. Research funders are currently grappling with the idea that an artefact could attract funding. The exhibition demonstrates the extent of the process involved in producing artefacts based on research activities.

The exhibition runs from September 7 to 10 in the DIT Art Gallery on the first floor, Cecil Renaud Building, Steve Biko Campus in Mansfield Road (enter from Gate 2). Gallery Hours are Monday to Thursday 08h00-16h30 and Friday 08h00-14h00. Chris de Beer will be available for a “walkabout” of the exhibition at 12h30 each day.

More information from Chris de Beer: Head of Department, Jewellery Design, DIT, on 031 203 6673/6 or fax 031 203 6674.