Supporting local talent is a great opportunity for cultures to connect, and for communities to grow together. There are so many reasons why you should support local work, and apart from it driving tourism and rewarding innovative minds for their beautiful talents, art has the ability to share common values and beliefs between different groups of people. This type of communication is important for society.
No matter the place or origin of the piece, what matters is the message portrayed and the skills used to showcase that beautiful social structure. Here are a few reasons why you should support local artists:
In such tight economic conditions, artists struggle to sell their work and individuals struggle to support them because of the cost. With local art, it’s affordable and it’s easier to support because you’re supporting content that resonates with you. Artists’ only hope is to create enough awareness through local communities and networks to get their work out there, so if we support local creativity, we’re empowering artists to keep exploring their hobbies and showing the world how needed they truly are.
The beauty of local art is that there are so many African art styles to choose from. Be it landscapes, portraits or wildlife, local artists always offer something original and unique. Most pieces are designed without the latest technologies to assist or speed up the process, therefore these handmade pieces are one-of-a-kind. When you buy something that is carefully crafted and different, it brings a sense of exclusivity into your purchase. Local art also gives you an opportunity to meet the artist and learn to appreciate and respect the artist’s background and story.
Often local art is more affordable than purchasing iconic, international pieces that are world-renowned already. When you support and buy from local artists, most of them aren’t well-known for their work, which is why it tends to be affordable in the beginning. That piece of art then becomes a long-term investment, because as the artist becomes more recognisable, the piece of art will rise in value.
Art is a common denominator in almost every country’s history. Creativity is a beautiful experience that brings people and communities together, regardless of race, gender, age or religion. Take African art for example, artists always express their feelings towards a specific topic which resonates with many people. That feeling then brings cultures together to celebrate our heritage. This culture-rich topic is showcased across the world in galleries and museums that play an important role in African history. It’s a great linking factor that can bring people together in unity and change the way people feel.
As mentioned, art is a universal language that people appreciate and respect. Over the years, people have lost hope in African creativity, but slowly it’s becoming a refreshed tourist attraction for many travelling to Cape Town. If you look at the newly opened ZEITZ MOCAA museum in Cape Town, it has opened the eyes of many, showing the world just how diverse and unique the African culture it. This concept has brought together many people, encouraging them to embrace our heritage and change African art for the better. From seniors to children, it’s a brilliant educational opportunity for the younger generations to learn more about the history of African art, and to help them appreciate such talent.
Younger generations are delving into creative careers where they’ve started using their talents to earn money. In order to keep the trend going, our existing communities need to support local art to show children just how important and special it is. Local schools and galleries should offer various talks and programmes on the different types of art, where children can learn more about this industry in case they are interested in growing into it. Having a creative mind encourages children to explore new skills, and it also holds plenty of cognitive benefits for young, developing brains. If we inspire and encourage children to explore their individual creativity, it will give them the confidence to succeed in other areas of their lives.
Beyond the creative benefits that art has on society, art has a measurable impact on our economy, health and well-being, society and education. It allows people the opportunity to communicate across barriers of language and culture, where words cannot be used to express the same thoughts. There is something so different about a visual representation, and this kind of communication has the ability to shape the mindsets of future generations. More people need to learn how to embrace art in modern life, and supporting local artists is a great way to start. It’ll be a worthwhile lesson for you and your children.
