Art takes many forms beyond the accepted norms of stage, print and paintings. The beauty of any artwork lies firmly in the eye, and sometimes on the lips, of the beholder.
Nowadays, in the right hands, almost anything can achieve art status. These are some of southern Africa’s talented women that have mastered the fine art of food, wine and watercolours.
The Art of Winemaking
Women are all over the wine scene lately, with several recognized vintages hailing from female-run wineries in South Africa.
Sisters are doing it for themselves in Stellenbosch, from where Seven Sisters wines are making their way onto shelves across the country. From an incredibly difficult start in life, the Brutus siblings have built their brand from scratch, and are now producing acclaimed Bukettraube, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage-Rose, Pinotage/Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet wines.
Also from Stellenbosch, Ntsiki Biyela is recognized as South Africa’s first black female winemaker, and her Aslina brand of wines are well-known overseas. Only now can local wine lovers look out for her cabernet sauvignon, medium-bodied red wine, and Bordeaux-style blend in stores near them.
Culinary Artistes
The gorgeously talented and highly-acclaimed chef, Chantal Dartnall, has twice been recognized as South Africa’s best female chef and won the Title of “World's Best Female Chef during 2017. She owns and runs Restaurant Mosaic in Pretoria where she dishes up her interpretation of nature on a plate. Chantal’s words of wisdom for those wanting to achieve the extra mile – “be consistent’’, and “always push to go that extra step further every day”.
Celebrity chef Zola Nene has cooked her way into the hearts and homes of South African families with her quick wit, natural warmth and home-style cooking skills. She’s come a long way from being the only black face in her cookery class of 2010 to becoming the co-host of The Great South African Bake Off.
Full-Colour Females
Botswana-born artist, Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum’s, paintings appeal to the imagination, with drawings half-revealed under layers of paint. Her work is futuristic and appealing to the senses, and always demands a second look. Her pieces have been displayed in the Tiwani Contemporary in London and the Johannesburg’s Museum of African Design.
Acclaimed Malawian artist Billie Zangewa now calls Johannesburg home, but she’s been all over the world showing off her unique artworks. She crafts collages from raw silk, each of them depicting scenes from daily life. Her work is an interesting juxtaposition created by using a fragile sensuous fabric to portray everyday hardships and the common struggles of women everywhere. Billie’s work has been showcased at numerous art fairs, and one of her pieces is on permanent display in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC.
The Art of Travel
Southern Africa is a masterpiece on its own, and the perfect breeding ground for creativity in all its forms. Get in touch if you’d like to experience the beauty and creativity of these exciting destinations.
