Clement Maenetja (23), a Fine & Studio Arts student, is the third overall winner of the 2020 #InnibosNationalCraftAwards.
Launched in 2017, the awards are organised by John-Anthony Boerma and Jan Bhuda of ArtAid Africa and are hosted under the auspices of the National Innibos Arts Festival. Entry is free of charge and the entry process is simple – requiring only that a photo of the craft item be submitted, along with the entrant’s details.
Clement’s winning work, Memories, consists of six ceramic plates reminiscent of the enamel plates he used during his youth. Each plate is filled with seed, also made from clay. “The work explores my personal history and also juxtaposes memories of the surroundings in which I grew up.”
Clement, who is studying towards a Postgraduate Certificate, bagged R15 000 – not to mention invaluable connections forged with like-minded individuals and exposure of his talent on a national stage. “I was overwhelmed and actually screamed when I heard my name during the online proceedings broadcast on Youtube,” says the Boksburg lad. He intends spending the prize money on art material.
His interest in the Arts was sparked at high school and he remembers a teacher telling him that clay is like a baby – you need to be gentle with it, close your eyes and feel it. “I did exactly that and it remains one of the best moments I can recall,” he adds.