A sale of South African textiles

This week an auction of African textiles is underway online. 

The pieces that are being sold come from a variety of places but the first one in the auction is particularly interesting. Here is the description, taken verbatim from the auctioneers website about this piece.

"The Marriage of Nolulama and Luthando Altarpiece tells a compelling story. Nolulama and Luthando were two of the earliest AIDS patients in the local community to receive antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. They met in the AIDS patients treatment centre and subsequently married. The work was made to celebrate young people going back to a normal life after regaining their health. Made by members of the Keiskamma Art Project in classes with visual artist Marialda Marais, the central panel depicts Nolulama and Luthando in appliqué, embroidery and beadwork on cloth, while the acrylic paintings in the side panels were inspired by the stories told by elderly people in the community who had lost their children."

Storytelling features heavily in the auction but there are also decorative items and costume. This is a chance to own some iconic pieces and a browse through the catalogue is an excellent way to spend an hour or two.