Glenfiddich artists on display

Since its inception in 2002 the programme has had 63 leading international artists from 14 different countries living and working at the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown. Each year, between six and eight artists from around the world are invited to Scotland for a three-month residency to be inspired by the surroundings, community and the distillery itself and to create art.

Artists have no set brief and have fairly open access to the distillery complex and all the production facilities, and are able to create whatever work they desire. The intention is that the art of making fine Scotch whisky, the heritage, history and tradition, the production and ageing process, the people, as well as the local Scottish environment, will provide inspiration for the artists.

An outstanding opportunity

Glenfiddich's marketing manager for South Africa, Grant Sayers, said: “It is an outstanding opportunity for an artist to gain international recognition and exposure as well as to grow. They have a unique opportunity to live with other artists from around the world and to exchange ideas. Given that Glenfiddich Scotch Whisky is available in over 180 countries worldwide, any one of these markets could potentially have an artist be invited. It is an enormous accolade for our South African artists and demonstrates that they have something unique to offer and can compete internationally.”

Mzayiya who participated in the residency programme in 2009 will exhibit his work entitled “Untitled scenes from the cooperage”. It is a series of six works in oil pastel and paint, and charcoal and chalk on cask staves. “The work was inspired by the cooperage environment and the facial expressions of the coopers while they craft these casks. During the process of making this series I was assisted by one of the coopers to collect damaged casks, deconstruct them, and to steam the wood and re-construct it to suit the surface that I wanted to work with,” said Mzayiya.

During his 2007 residency Majadibodu painted a large oil on canvas entitled “Busy as usual”, which will be on exhibit. Majadibodu was attracted to the art of the coopers through his appreciation of hands-on experience and his practical nature. He spent time at the cooperage where he observed the coopers at work, and even took the opportunity to have a try at building his own barrel.

The Glenfiddich Collection

These works now form part of the Glenfiddich Collection in Scotland, which comprises over 100 art pieces produced by the 63 artists who have participated in the residency programme to date. These works have been specially shipped to Cape Town for the exhibition.

Both Mzayiya and Majadibodu will also exhibit some other works that they have produced since being back in South Africa.

The Glenfiddich Artist in Residence Exhibition is open to the public from 24 to 30 March, 2010. The Rainbow Experience Gallery, Mandela Rhodes Place, 23 Church Street, is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, Saturdays 9am to 6pm, and Sunday 10am to 2pm. For further information contact Belinda van der Merwe on +27 (0)21 422 1428.