The Editions for ArtThrob project is an initiative focussed on making the work of Southern Africa’s best contemporary artists widely accessible to new audiences. The programme provides an opportunity to build a unique art collection, with prints from internationally recognised artists whose original work might be beyond the pocket of young or curious collectors.
You can see the full catalogue of Editions for ArtThrob here. Previous artists who’ve worked with us include Candice Breitz, David Goldblatt, Mikhael Subotzky, Claudette Schreuders, Athi-Patra Ruga, Dineo Seshee Bopape, Pieter Hugo, Tracey Rose, Sam Nhlengethwa, William Kentridge, Penny Siopis, Robert Hodgins, and Jane Alexander.
Essentially, artists donate a print edition to ArtThrob, and we cover all costs involved in the production of that edition. Often our artists collaborate with the best of South African print studios, including Warren Editions, Caversham Press, The Artists’ Press, Wits School of the Arts, Michaelis School of Fine Art, and Artist Proof Studio. Tony Meintjes printed all of our Goldblatt, Subotzky, and Tillim artworks, and James Webb printed his at Dieu Donné Papermill in New York. In turn, the funds raised from print sales goes towards keeping ArtThrob running, and towards remuneration for our writers. This is a particularly important point for us. We are dedicated to fostering art writing in South Africa with a goal of achieving greater awareness, interest, and discussion on local art and artists.
But this year is different…
In a change to the usual structure, ArtThrob is offering our artists the oppertunity to name an organisation that they’re passionate about, and in turn we will donate a percentage of the selling price received from each print to that organisaition! Siemon Allen has decided on the International Library of South African Music (ILAM) as the recipient of 15% of each sale from his contribution to the Editions for ArtThrob programme:
Siemon Allen, Damaged Archive (Soweto), 2016. Archival pigment ink on Hahnemühle German Etching paper. Image size 51 x 51cm; Paper size 55 x 55cm
When I visited ILAM last year to photograph Hugh Tracey’s 78 rpm collection, Diane Thram mentioned that the organization was in need of external funding.
When ArtThrob gave me this opportunity, I thought immediately of my conversation with Diane and how this could help ease ILAM’s financial burden in some way. Diane, Elijah Madiba and Liezl Visage were so helpful when we visited and I can’t think of a better, more deserving institution doing valuable work preserving South Africa’s musical heritage.
I am an South African artist, but also an avid record collector and have developed a substantial South African collection while based in the United States.
In my work, I have tried to bridge aesthetics with the archive. The ArtThrob print is an extension of a series of record prints I have been working on since 2009. Each work shows an iconic, highly detailed scan of a significantly damaged record sourced from my collection of South African music. More information about this series can be viewed here.
In addition, I have also been researching South African music in general and embarked some years ago on a non-profit project to document through photography South African records. To that end I visited the Chris Ballantine collection at UKZN in 2012 and photographed his entire 78 rpm collection. This was followed by my visit to ILAM last year. And more recently I was given the opportunity to document Gideon Nxumalo’s personal collection.
– Siemon Allen
Keep updated on Siemon Allen’s work via these links:
www.flatinternational.org
www.flatint.blogspot.com
www.siemonallen.org