Soaring high in his journey through art
Fourth-year fine arts student Shui Hoppenstein, from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), has always been passionate about his form of art, expressing that his desire was to dive deeper into the art world through formal education. He firmly believes in pursuing one's passion, stating: 'I really wanted to study fine arts. To know more about the art world and chase my dream.'
Read more: Lillian Gray Art School students make Mothers Day gifts with their own hands
He recently saw his studies soar. As part of a student exchange programme, he spent three months at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts in Budapest, in the graphic arts department. 'There, I learned new printmaking techniques, including stone lithography, while continuing to develop my skills in etching and drawing.'
Hoppenstein was one of two students sent to Hungary, helping to establish a relationship between the two universities. He saw the experience as a rich approach on how to look at art on that side of the globe.
Also read: Art at any age at Lillian Gray Art School
He added that he cherished the opportunity to connect with fellow students from Hungary, appreciating the warm environment and collaborative spirit.
Being an art student, Hoppenstein is very aware of the challenges that come with it, the same as other aspiring fine artists in South Africa. Yet he remains steadfast in his mission to his art. His third-year body of work centred on the challenges between old age and youth. Exploring how his generation often overlooks the inevitability of aging. 'For my research, I visited the Deutsches Altersheim, interviewing many residents about their experiences, their aging, their families, and their worldviews,' he explained.
His interviewees included Ingrid Sommer and Imme Buttgen, both of whom offered valuable wisdom into the aging process. 'I also created a ten-metre artwork, inspired by one of the residents, which was displayed in the café living area of the home, before being hung in the atrium of UJ's Faculty of Art, Design, and Architecture last year.'
Hoppenstein draws on various life experiences. His work on aging stemmed from reflections on his own grandparents. 'I realised I do not give them as much time as I should, and I often think about how I, too, will age one day.'
This year, Hoppenstein is focused on familial relationships, particularly how expectations are placed on individuals by their parents, and how people often drift away from their roles, to make their own paths in the world.
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
Related article: Lillian Gray Art School is proud of their young artists animal drawings
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Noxolo Mseleku's sparkling journey
NOXOLO Mseleku in her jewellery workshop. Image: Supplied. NOXOLO Mseleku has bedazzled some of the biggest names in South African entertainment. From Londie London to Abdul Khoza, LaConco, AzureDe and Sbahle Sithole, these are just some of the celebrities who have worn her jewellery. But the woman from Illovo on the KZN South Coast never imagined her creations would one day bring joy to people both at home and abroad. 'I love working with gemstones wholeheartedly. That's why I went to Belgium to study gemstones and diamond grading. Even our Instagram page is filled with gemstones,' says Mseleku. She always dreamt of becoming an architect and applied to the University of Johannesburg. But there was no space. After taking a gap year, she applied again, still no luck. Determined not to waste more time, she asked the university what other creative programmes were available. 'So I asked what they have which is design orientated and they told me that they have space in the jewellery department. I got accepted and that's how it all happened.' Mseleku says maybe she applied too late to get into architecture, but after a difficult start, things took an unexpected turn. 'Jewellery chose me, I didn't choose it,' she explains. 'Jewellery wasn't something I wanted at first. It's very manual, you have to melt metal, roll it, and work with tiny pieces. It's not just about designing and drawing beautiful things. After all of that, you still have to get hands-on. I found it difficult, especially the precision involved. I actually didn't like it at first and felt like I was failing at it." Things changed in her second year when she entered a competition and won. 'I started falling in love with the craft. So, like a spark it just came to me, it just happened.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Her winning piece represented HIV and AIDS through a dying flower with a healthy infant at its centre, all of it symbolising hope and resilience. That led to a two-year scholarship in Italy (2015-2017), where she immersed herself in jewellery as an artform. She also completed a diamond grading course in Antwerp, Belgium. 'I'm so glad that when I went to Italy, I found my passion and my love for jewellery. Because in Italy, jewellery is a culture to them, they have different techniques of doing things.' Mseleku is unapologetic about her love of bling, and yet she wears less jewellery now than before she started her career. 'I am definitely a sucker for romance and beautiful things, but what inspires me most is gemstones,' she adds. After returning to South Africa, she briefly worked for Browns Jewellers before launching her own brand, Eleganté, inspired by her Italian training and her design ethos of 'classical pieces with a twist of modernity.' She admits it wasn't easy starting out because the industry is expensive, and making it takes grit. But her perseverance paid off. 'My customers are millennials, young professionals, people that want the finer things in life, because we do your gold and your diamonds.' Mseleku says that Covid and the economic downturn hit her hard. She closed the retail leg of her business but continued with wholesale manufacturing. It's a sector, she says, where many talented jewellery designers have exited due to a lack of opportunities. She refused to give up. Today, Eleganté employs three young skilled professionals who focus on design and manufacturing. Mseleku has stepped back from the bench to focus on sales and marketing, ensuring the business grows while her team concentrates on their craft. She credits the De Beers Enterprise Programme for making that possible. The initiative provides mentorship, training and access to resources for entrepreneurs in the jewellery and diamond sector. Mseleku says it helped her sharpen her business model and build a more sustainable enterprise. However, she remains frustrated by how difficult it is for jewellers in South Africa to access raw materials, despite the country's mineral wealth. 'That is simply not true when people say we don't have the talent in this country. We do but there's so much red tape,' she says. 'They send the raw minerals out of the country, and then we have to buy back the finished goods. Meanwhile, we have skilled artisans right here who could create those pieces locally.' She says the export of raw materials affects her work directly. 'Right now, I need gold for a new collection, but I'm struggling to get it. Instead of allowing us to use what we have, they export the materials before we even get a chance. We should be exporting finished goods, not raw ones.' According to Mseleku, the challenge is widespread. 'We have a big, big problem with access to materials and it just doesn't make sense, because they come from here.' She believes beneficiation programmes like the one from De Beers are starting to make a difference. 'I'm really grateful to be part of that. It's a step in the right direction.' Beyond jewellery, Mseleku has taken on high-profile commissions; from crafting awards for the Gauteng Film Commission to creating a 30 Years of Freedom centrepiece for President Cyril Ramaphosa. She was also commissioned to create 800 pendants to raise funds for a hospital in Palestine. Looking ahead, her dream is to return to retail within five to ten years, open multiple branches, expand her workshop, and create more opportunities for fellow creatives. And she's definitely happy that there wasn't space to study architecture.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Ninth Mzantsi Jazz Awards to honour Themba Mkhize and Dr Jonathan Butler
Previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award include Abigail Kubeka and late drummer Louis Moholo, who died in June this year. This year's Mzantsi Jazz Awards (MJA) are presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to two world-renowned icons, Themba Mkhize and Dr Jonathan Butler. 'The Lifetime Achievement Award for Themba Mkhize and Dr Jonathan Butler adds an emotional touch, while the programming embraces a more intergenerational and pan-African perspective compared to previous years,' awards founder Dr Mongezi Makhalima told The Citizen. The ninth edition of the Mzantsi Jazz Awards will be held at the end of August at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). This will be the first time the awards are held at UJ. They were previously held at the Joburg Theatre and the Soweto Theatre. 'This year, the MJA finds its new home at the University of Johannesburg. Alongside the awards ceremony, there will be curated performances, centenary celebrations, heartfelt tributes, and storytelling segments showcasing the evolution of South African jazz.' ALSO READ: Jonathan Butler receives honorary doctorate from Stellenbosch University as he enjoys time back home [VIDEO] Mzantsi Jazz Awards honours legends Award-winning singer-songwriter Butler is having a good 2025, following his receipt of an honorary doctorate from Stellenbosch University in March, and now this lifetime achievement award. 'I feel truly thankful, incredibly thankful. It's always special to be acknowledged by home, especially my home, even though I live in the USA,' said the Many Faces performer. 'I always treasure when home recognises us, especially those who have been away for so long. So, thank you. It's a blessing to be alive, to still smell the roses, and to know that my fellow countrymen and women see me.' Previous recipients of the award include Abigail Kubeka, late drummer Louis Moholo, who died in June this year, Jonas Gwangwa and Letta Mbulu, among its list of stalwarts. Mkhize is a revered pianist and composer, among other things, who has been part of renowned jazz collectives such as Sakhile and Bayete. 'When we reached out to Mr Mkhize, his response was deeply moving. He spoke with humility and gratitude, saying jazz has always been his true passion. This recognition, especially from his peers, meant the world to him,' said Makhalima. Makhalima said Mkhize reflected on his mentors and collaborators who shaped his journey when he was told about the award. '…And [he] emphasized the importance of nurturing the next generation of jazz artists. It was a beautiful reminder of why we do this. Our intention continuously is to honour contributors to the jazz language whilst they are still alive.' ALSO READ: MoAfrika wa Mokgathi on hosting the 7th Mzantsi Awards and love for jazz Making it work According to Makhalima, the awards are sponsored but not by the department of sports, arts and culture. The Africa Centre for Work-Based Learning's Faculty for Performance Art has been the key sponsor for the award for the last eight years, spending more than R5 million, according to the founder. 'We have had the partnership with regards to the venue, like we have the partnership with UJ who have gratefully agreed to partner with us on the venue, so it helps us to reduce the cost of it,' he said. Winning artists will receive cash prizes, but the biggest value of the awards is the trophy itself, which very expensive, handmade and special, Makhalima said. 'There will be [only] 120 people next year who have it in the whole world, which makes it quite a valuable possession. He said there are live performance recording opportunities for musicians in some categories like Best Female in Jazz and Best Jazz albums when funding is available, and that they are always looking for platforms for all winners. The awards, Makhalima said, keep trying to find innovative ways of supporting artists. This could be in the form of making part payments for tours and also international exposure to other jazz spaces, particularly for younger musicians. 'Those are the prizes we do not call prizes, but we continuously create opportunities. The recording is meant to make sure that the artists continue to get an income from those live recordings that we do, so we give them a very good deal.' NOW READ: Rorisang Sechele on her participation at this year's Symphomic and being part of Kids Love Jazz
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Adults exhibit their art at local Lillian Gray Art School
Lillian Gray Art School recently held their annual adult art exhibition, showcasing the talents of their adult students. Read more: Liza Minnelli documentary captures hearts Co-owner, art teacher, and artist Adele Jansen van Rensburg said, on the day, they welcomed guests and artists to see a display of mixed art pieces, ranging from sketches to oil paints, which depicted still life's, landscapes, and everything in between. Weeks, and sometimes months, were put into creating and perfecting these art pieces, some of which were up for sale, while others opted not to sell, as they were still sentimental about their art. 'Letting go is also part of the process, and over time artists learn the self confidence to do that,' said Jansen van Rensburg. The artist has created a lot of art through the years, which she has learned not to hold on to. She thinks letting it go will allow for her art to make someone else happy in their home. Jansen van Renseburg said it takes bravery for artists to showcase their art. 'In the beginning, it is scary. Then you get to the exhibit and see all the beauty your hard work has produced, and you become happy.' Two exhibitions take place each year, one for the children, towards the end of the year, and the adults exhibition in winter. Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
