Imbali Visual Literacy Project
Posted by Michael Morrissey on June 18, 2009 · Leave a Comment
We were pleased to visit the imbali visual literacy project store located in the Museum Africa building in Johannesburg. Most items are made from simple or recycled materials. The originality, fine craft, and design of the wares are superb! We were shocked at the elegance, capriciousness, and quality of the items featured which are shown in Michael’s photos.
IMBALI has a history of working with street children which led them to believe that constructive, structured, and creative interventions in the form of art workshops could lead to renewed interest in learning and radically increase self esteem. They found that there was tremendous potential to change the course of young lives that are often at very profound risk.
 |
A quote from a child who made an elaborate paper house:
“I like you to teach us these things. I like to make a house because I don’t like to stay on the street. I wan somewhere nice to stay like this.” Jan Mokwena
For few hours, the children involved in making these delightful crafts get a meal and be off the streets, away from drugs and glue, safe under the supervision of their mentors who helped them to feel like human beings.
IMBALI now offers Craft and Design Training. First involvement occurred in Mpumalanga in 1998 and 1999 working with rurally based woodcarvers, later training the sixty craftswomen who produced the vast appliqued panels in the provincial legislature building. From 1999 to 2001 they set up a crafts training program for young people awaiting trial in the Dyambu Youth Centre, West Rand.
In early 2000, based in a garage in Kagiso Township, West Rand, an ambitious project was begun to set up a Crafts Training Program and workshop for unemployed young people. Soon a large hall was made available by the Mogale City Council. The skills training program, which lasts three years, offers courses in ceramics, textile design, weaving and all kinds of printing including photographic, block, and screen printing. Since the program aims to develop sustainable income generation courses in Life Skills, Project and Financial Management, Market Research, Marketing and Sales are included.
They have been mentoring and encouraging students to initiate work in community art projects, in a HIV center, the local hostel, rural Hekpoort, surrounding schools and smaller community based projects. A Skills Development Program at NQF2 level also started in Kagiso which will culminate in a National Certificate for successful participants.
Imbali
Visual Literacy Project
PO Box 3404 Parklands 2121
Cellphone 083 324 4644
Phone 011 492 3333
imbali@absamial.co.za
