5 Reasons you need to know about The Rorke's Drift Art and Craft Centre by Lillian Gray

The Rorke's Drift Art and Craft Centre has been described as "the most famous indigenous art centre in South Africa!" It is world-renowned for its Pottery, Tapestries and Printmaking. This centre gave rise to some of southern Africa's most celebrated artists. These include artists like Azaria Mbatha, John Muafangejo and Cyprian Shilakoe, known for their printmaking. The celebrated weaver Allina Ndebele and the remarkable ceramicists Gordon Mbatha, Dinah Molefe and Elizabeth Mbatha. These artists are only a selection of a large group of black artists who studied at the Rorke’s Drift Art and Craft Centre.
The centre played a crucial role in South African Art History and still has a major influence on South African Art today. So what made Rorke's Drift so unique? And why do you need to know about it? Here are five main Reasons. Come along as I share this remarkable story of triumph, tenacity and talent.
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
01:32 Education for all races during Apartheid
04:07 Unique Fusion - European Practices and African Storytelling
07:59 The artworks contained hidden messages
14:23 Grit and Perseverance against the Apartheid Authorities
23:20 Rorke’s Drift Catalogue and Authenticity
24:33 Conclusion

[@grizeldaliebenberg8660]

Thank you for informing us about The Rorke's Drift Art and Craft Centre. What a wonderful video.

[@LillianGrayArt]

Our pleasure!

[@AneliseTaljaard]

Wow, thank you for this great video. There is so much that was hidden from us growing up in that time.

[@LillianGrayArt]

Yes, people don't realise how censored South Africa was and how much control the government exerted over the media.

[@jayrichardson1059]

Brilliant Video Lillian. Such an amazing and inspiring story.

[@LillianGrayArt]

Thank you, I hope your students love it.

[@jemmasander7976]

I learned so much! Thank you for creating these informative videos about Rorke's drift art and craft centre. Loved it!

[@LillianGrayArt]

It was such an important Centre, everyone should know about it.

[@adellejansenvanrensburg9933]

Wow Lillian, your history videos are so valuable. Thank you for another incredible history lesson 🙏

[@LillianGrayArt]

My pleasure!

[@moniqueswanepoel2733]

Very informative.👏🏻

[@LillianGrayArt]

Glad you think so!

[@abiodunslymon9862]

Thank you so much, this is so amazing to learn about. #Lilliangrayart

[@LillianGrayArt]

You are so welcome!

[@philippahobbs3087]

Tapestries from Rorke's Drift are currently fetching much higher prices than prints.

[@LillianGrayArt]

Yes I don't have the sales price for Allina's Tapestry MTN commissioned but I am sure it was a large sum. Tapestries are super time consuming, while Linos have print editions making them more affordable.