DUALITIES EXHIBITION
Photo images: © Rob Piper
Dualities: Women’s Empowerment in Africa, wove together the stories of South African women who are using their talent and leadership to transform their own lives and society at large. The stories of One to One’s Mentor Mothers, who provide door-to-door maternal and child healthcare at a localized level in the beautiful but most remote part of the Eastern Cape, South Africa were displayed in parallel with the work of Undiscovered Canvas, and its non-profit Makwanda Art Residency programme, which amplifies the ever-growing talent of young, female, South African artists.
Dualities did not attempt to draw simplistic equivalences between multiple visions, divergent geographies, genres and aesthetic iconologies. The common denominator between both gallery levels was women-driven stories of individual and community identity, agency and empowerment. It spoke to the heart of furthering opportunities for women, whether that’s the opportunity of life itself for a woman and her children, the opportunity of becoming a One to One Mentor Mother to work as a pillar of the community, or to further the dreams of an emerging artist.
We are enormously grateful to the Bernard Jacobson Gallery, our curator Susan Ansley Johnson, and all the artists and collectors whose dedication links our art programme to expanding our healthcare successes.
Throughout the exhibition, we hosted several events including a private view opening evening which welcomed almost 100 guests to the gallery, a women’s networking event, a private philanthropist’s walkthrough and dinner, and a lunch for South Africans in London, who continue to show their support and love for their home country.
The additional impact of Dualities was the overwhelming response by the general public who found their way to Dualities through the numerous articles written about the exhibit, through social media coverage and crucially by word of mouth.
Dualities highlighted the power of art to communicate the messages of women’s empowerment, development in South Africa and cutting edge maternal-child healthcare.
By investing in the artwork features in Dualities: Women’s Empowerment in Africa, both your collection and our programmes in One to One Africa benefit. A percentage of the sale of artwork from Undiscovered Canvas and photographic prints by Rob Piper will be donated to One to One Africa.”
Please contact sharon@onetoonechildrensfund.org for inquiries into purchasing a piece of art or limited print form the catalogue.
testimonials
“Our Mayfair exhibitions have become a hub, where we share, discuss and progress support for clients in the remote Eastern Cape. In the last mile communities, where close to 70% of people are living in severe poverty, our Mentor Mothers are beating UN targets to deliver an AIDS-free generation.”
- One to One Africa’s Executive Director, Gqibelo Dandala .
“Art is a voice. And art is a medium to address stigma, to shine a light on misrepresentation and achieve social justice. It means mobility. It means empowering women to live the life they deserve.”
- Undiscovered Canvas founder, Nomaza Nongqunga Coupez
“Being from Johannesburg I had no real feeling for how cut off, how overlooked women in the Eastern Cape can be. My piece The Dance of Liberation responds to my admiration for the Mentor Mothers out there saving lives every day.”
- Artist, Nene Mahlangu
“This photographic commission reveals the dedication and success of Mentor Mothers in the face of the remote Eastern Cape’s harsh challenges”
- Photographer, Rob Piper
“The first time I showed South African art was with the involvement and insistence of David Bowie in 1995, and it was my most successful public exhibition ever. More than 6,000 people viewed the work.
“I’d be truly delighted if the talent presented by One to One attracted that kind of success akin to the way I showed Willie Bester and William Kentridge in that 1995 show.
“I’m deeply admiring of the 40 One to One Mentor Mothers these artists honour, having, over much time now, got to know about their utter dedication and success in the Eastern Cape. I’m proud to support them by having made the gallery available in 2022 and 2023, to the One to One Charity and the talented women artists of South Africa.”
- Bernard Jacobson, London, Mayfair gallerist
“The exhibitions I curate for One to One further the opportunity of life itself for a woman and her children; the opportunity of becoming a One to One Mentor Mother, to work as a pillar of the community; or to further her dreams of becoming an artist”
- Curator Susan Ansley Johnson
“The psycho-social toll on these intrepid heroines, of daily confronting and managing adversity, cannot be fully assessed. But they persevere, conducting their work with a sense of purpose that transcends the arduous conditions in which they work. Through innovation, creativity, resourcefulness and sheer resilience they are making an incalculably positive and sustainable impact on rural lives.”
- Hazel Friedman, award-winning journalist, writing of One to One Mentor Mentors, in the introduction to our 2023 catalogue.
“One to One’s programme supporting the arts overturns stigma, illuminates success and presents important talent to our supporters.”
– Patron Naomie Harris
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All proceeds generated from art sales will benefit One to One Africa’s work in the field. To make a direct donation to One to One Africa please donate below. **UK or SA residents qualify for tax benefits if they make the donation in their home jurisdiction.