Lifestyle/Community
Cape Town Jewish artists show their mettle in fundraiser
Works by 22 South African Jewish artists in an array of media are being showcased in Resonance and Wonder, an exhibition hosted by the United Jewish Campaign (UJC) and the South African Jewish Museum. It is the brainchild of Aron Turest-Swartz, deputy director of the UJC – better known as the founder of the highly successful band Freshlyground – and his wife, Kristy.
MOIRA SCHNEIDER
CAPE TOWN
Pictured: Rodney Band’s Wild Olive Bowl on display at the South African Jewish Museum.
Aron has undergone what appears to be a dramatic change of career. It turns out, however, that his creativity is merely being channelled in a different direction.
Having been appointed close on a year ago, Aron and Kristy are a breath of fresh air for the UJC’s fundraising efforts. “We’re introducing new ideas and initiatives and this is just one of them,” he says, referring to the art exhibition.
In May, they showcased Jewish musicians – five bands and two deejays – and in August, they held a food-themed event for women.
“In our community, there are a lot of things that divide us,” Aron explains, “and we’re looking at ways that we can bring people together in spaces that are unifying and that celebrate our talent and diversity – things like music and the arts, food and books. With Freshlyground, the intention wasn’t to bring people together through music necessarily, but that was a result.
“I always have been driven by unifying people and especially when there’s diversity, which is not necessarily a weakness of a community – it can be a strength. I just feel that as a community, we already do a lot in broader society, but there’s so much more we could do if we were really cohesive and more connected.”
In addition to being communally focused, the couple has a personal factor underpinning its motivation. “Our son, Zacari, is eight and is going to be finished with school in 10 years’ time, so we’re thinking about what kind of community we’d like him to emerge into and wanting to create a vibrant and thriving Jewish community in Cape Town,” says Aron.
“We’re looking at the next decade and what we can do to create the kind of community that people will hopefully want to be part of and be proud to be part of,” while at the same time raising much-needed funds to ensure the sustainability of the UJC’s 27 beneficiary organisations.
Besides featuring different genres, the exhibition represents a range of ages, from 93-year-old Alice Goldin downwards. Among others whose works are included are painter Francine Scialom-Greenblatt, ceramicist Martine Jackson, photographer Russell Smith and wood-turner Rodney Band.
Almost 200 artists had “come out of the woodwork”, says Aron, who hopes to make the exhibition an annual event for at least a decade.
Curator Mari Macdonald says the exhibition has been an eye-opener for the community as such magnificent work is being produced, of which people were unaware. “It shows a tiny piece of the talent and really shows the incredible capability of community members.
“These are some of the top artists that the country is producing at the moment and they’re here in Cape Town working every day.”
• Resonance and Wonder is on at the SA Jewish Museum until November 15.
ictured: Rodney Band’s Wild Olive Bowl on display at the South African Jewish Museum.