The Lockdown Collection

WORDS Amelia Brown IMAGES courtesy of The Lockdown Collection

The Extension Collection follows the success of The Lockdown Collection‘s initial 21-day campaign, and continues to tell the story of the South African lockdown through the eyes of the country’s creatives while raising money for artists and the Solidarity Fund. 

Created by Carl Bates (Chief Executive of Sirdar Group), Lauren Woolf (founder of Mrs Woolf) and Kim Berman (Founding Director of Artist Proof Studio and Professor of Visual Arts at UJ), the idea for The Lockdown Collection (TLC) was to curate and auction a collection of Covid-19-related artworks by renowned South African artists, with the proceeds going into a fund that would in turn support artists during the pandemic.

“The pandemic and the lockdown have [had] a significant impact on us all. For artists of the world, the realities of Covid-19 provide powerful subject material and inspiration,” explains Kim. “Yet at the same time, the lockdown is affecting their ability to earn a living through the creation of their art. We cannot afford to lose our artists or their incredible artworks – especially not now, when we need them to bear witness to this moment in time.”

Themba Khumalo – Waiting For Food Parcels

The initial campaign – launched in just two days – revealed an artwork a day for the 21-day lockdown period. Participating artists included the likes of Penny Siopsis, Sam Nhlengethwa, Diane Victor, Ardmore Ceramic Art, Gerhard Marx, Thenjiwe Nkosi and William Kentridge, whose piece entitled Where shall we place our hope​ was sold for R500 000 prior to the auction to create the TLC Fund.

Michael Meyersfeld – Fenced

Hosted by Aspire Art Auctions, the Unlocking Event virtual auction was held on 19 April 2020 and raised R2 million. An initial donation of R250 000 was made to the Solidarity Fund, as well as allocations to the Vulnerable Visual Artists Fund, a trust established by TLC that has paid out grants to over 100 vulnerable artists to date.

Following the widespread support of the campaign, interest from other artists and the announcement of the extension of the nationwide lockdown, the TLC team saw an opportunity to expand on the concept with The Extension Collection. Its curator, artist and University of Johannesburg Senior Lecturer Gordon Froud, reached out to artists across South Africa, inviting them to participate and reflect on life during Covid-19 through their art.

The result is a collection of 21 works of drawings, prints, sculptures and photographs created by some of the country’s most respected artists, including Susan Woolf, Michael Meyersfeld, Marco Cianfanelli, Themba Khumalo ​and Sifiso Temba, amongst others. These artworks will be available for purchase from 25 May 2020 via Artist Proof Studio. Proceeds of the sale, as well as any donations received, will once again be directed to the Solidarity Fund and the Vulnerable Visual Artist Fund.

Vusi Beauchamp – We Are Free

In order to offer emerging artists an opportunity to showcase their work and build their profiles, TLC has issued an open call to students and up-and-coming artists. Chosen submissions will be allocated to two additional collections, each of 21 artworks.

“Imagine what this lockdown would be like, without the entertainment and inspiration we derive from books, music, TV shows or art – all of which are created by artists,” says Woolf. “We have to protect our artists and build the integrity and historical value of their artworks. These are, after all, snapshots of life at an extraordinary time in history.”

To find out more, visit thelockdowncollection.com and follow TLC on Instagram (@thelockdowncollection).