By Subusiso Mvelase

Good evening, everyone — welcome to you all.

Tonight, we gather to celebrate creativity, collaboration, and the enduring spirit of
printmaking that continues to connect artists across generations.

Around 2002 and 2003, Caversham Press and the UKZN CVA joined forces to invite visual artists to participate in a series of printmaking workshops. Those workshops were led by the late Miss Gabisile Nkosi and Dr Vulindlela Nyoni, who was part of the CVA at that time. Their dedication and vision opened doors for local artists, giving them the opportunity to create and collaborate within a professional printmaking studio.

It was a space that encouraged experimentation, skill-sharing, and community — planting the seeds of artistic exchange and growth that still inspire us today. In that same spirit, this two-week workshop brought together artists from a wide range of disciplines — painters, sculptors, illustrators, designers, and writers — all united by a shared passion for creativity and collaboration. The focus was the four-colour reduction linocut process, a printmaking technique that demands both precision and courage. With each layer carved away, the artist commits to a new stage of transformation — there’s no undoing, no second chance.

It’s a process that mirrors life and art itself — one of trust, patience, and evolution.
What made this workshop even more special was the inclusion of writers, who collaborated with each artist to explore the dialogue between word and image. Together, they wove stories and visuals, text and texture — finding new ways to express ideas that transcend medium and form.

Over the period of two weeks, I had the privilege of witnessing something truly
remarkable unfold. The studio became a space of shared discovery — where artists and writers inspired one another, challenged themselves, and found common language through process and experimentation.

The works you see displayed tonight are the result of that journey. They are not only prints and writings — they are conversations in colour, form, and language. Each piece stands as a testament to courage, collaboration, and artistic growth. As you move through the exhibition, I invite you to take your time. Look closely at the layering of colour, the textures, and the subtleties of mark-making.

And read the words that accompany them — the reflections and narratives that
deepen and extend the visual dialogue. Behind every work lies a story — of learning, exploration, and transformation. This exhibition stands as a celebration of process — of how collaboration between artists and writers can open new creative paths and foster community.

I am deeply proud of what each participant has achieved. You’ve not only produced incredible work but also demonstrated commitment, openness, and generosity in your approach to the medium and to each other.

I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Mario, ASAI, UKZN staff, Siyabonga
Ngubane and to all the participating artists and writers — thank you for your
energy, curiosity, and willingness to engage deeply with the process. And to everyone here tonight — thank you for joining us, for supporting this creative journey, and for keeping the legacy of collaboration and printmaking alive.

May this exhibition remind us that art is not just about the final print or the written
word — it’s about the connections we build, the risks we take, and the stories we share along the way. Please, enjoy the exhibition, and may this evening inspire you to keep creating, collaborating, and carving new paths forward.

Thank you.