Natasha Barnes will be launching her exhibition entitled Against The Wind at the Kizo Art Gallery in Gateway on the 9th December 2008. The exhibition will run until the 10th January 2009. Natasha is one of South Africa's most internationally published artists. Despite being represented in The United Kingdom, throughout the U.S. Europe, The Middle East, Australia and others, she has remained a relatively undiscovered gem in South Africa.

Natasha lives and works from KwaZulu Natal but has spent much of her time traveling the world exhibiting at many of the most prestigious international art expo's. She has had extensive media coverage in The United States including national TV interviews and the like. Whilst she loves her chosen profession, her life has not always been simple and hence the exhibitions title Against The Wind.

Kizo is proud to exhibit the powerful and dramatic abstract works by this talented artist and is excited that Natasha has managed to take the time from her hectic international program in order to finally show the KZN audience what we until now have been missing.

Kizo Art Gallery is proud to host the most celebrated multimedia artist Dinkies Sithole. This is Sithole's first solo exhibition in the province of KwaZulu Natal. His contribution into the creative industry of this country varies from tap dancing, video work and painting to mention but a few.

Born in Soweto, He studied at the Pelmama Art Centre in Soweto and learned his dance techniques as a member of the Whizzkid Dance Group in Soweto in the late 1980s. He has practiced ballet, break-dancing and tap-dancing. As dancer and choreographer he has been involved in Arts Alive and the Grahams town Arts Festival.

Sithole is much inspired by ritualistic and spiritual journeys, with his work (painting, sculpture and dance), way of life and love of nature being inextricably linked. Since childhood he has been fascinated by the philosophy and painting techniques using natural pigments on the raw rock face - of the San people. Following an exchange of ideas with Asian students during his exhibitions in New York and Vermont, Sithole has been influenced also by Shaman and Buddhist philosophies. The work on show reflects a certain calligraphic quality, using oriental inks and collage techniques on textured rice papers. Sithole explores the relationship between the elements earth, wind, water and fire and his paintings speak of human spiritual experience in uncovering our hidden sentiments as we confront our reality in relation to time and space.

Aparna Swarup comes to Kizo. Having travelled and practiced her career in different countries, Aparna is grounded in her practice. Her current exhibition "Confluence" is a reflection and a response to her life experience and a tribute to the confluence in Allahabad where the three holy rivers meet.

Aparna studied Life Drawing in Hampstead and Life Painting and Mixed Media in Central St Martins, London. She has participated in major exhibitions in Africa, Asia and Europe. Her works traveled to Germany and several countries in East Africa as part of a group show for the Heinrich Boll Foundation celebrating women artists of the millennium.

Her solo exhibitions include "Creations" in Addis Ababa, "Different Strokes" at the Nehru Centre in London and "Risky Dreams" in Johannesburg, inspired by the women of South Africa. Her works are held by private collectors and investors in major countries.

Expanded painting is a fairly recent term which refers to the interaction between painting and other media or process, and is a field that is increasingly intriguing many contemporary artists internationally.

The artwork in this show is assembled and reassembled fragments of mystical narrative and innovative reflections on environment.

They are constructed as maps of consciousness. Charting human responses to a surrounding that increasingly requires separation of instinct from intellect. The two artists skilfully probe the boundaries between figuration and abstraction, and create and auspicious new analogy from a variety of perspectives.

Kizo gallery in partnership with the Michael Stevenson Gallery are proud to present for the first time in Durban a solo exhibition by he celebrated Cape Town based artist Tracey Payne.

The exhibition is curated by a former Durbanite Yvette Dunn. Dunn, who left the city of Durban 1 and a half years ago, currently she works at the Michael Stevenson and brings a selection of works that the artist created over the last three years. Amongst the may objectives of this exhibition is opening lines of communication between the city of Durban and Cape Town, this is a vision that is shared by both organizations Kizo Gallery and Michael Stevenson Gallery. This is what the artists says about her process of creation.

Painting transcends word; it is my tool of investigation, my mode of expression and my vehicle for spiritual growth and development. It is through this chosen medium that I hope to find a language that expresses the divinity that lies within us all and discover alternative Utopian pathways to a more harmonious life.

Kizo Art Consultants are proud to coordinate the premier arts festival in KZN.

Kizo is proud to announce the launch of an exhibition entitled In Honour of The Artist's of Rorkes Drift 1960's to 1970's. This important exhibition will launch at Kizo Gateway on the 4th August and will run until the 25th August 2008. A private collector has thankfully agreed to exhibit a superb collection of valuable works from this sought after period.

These works have until now remained hidden and are of such historical and cultural importance that the collector felt that it was in the public's interest that they be exhibited.

The exhibition consists of a body of 43 works. These are in the main those of the celebrated John Muafangejo but also include pieces by Sandile Zulu, Jacob Matsose, R. Goswana, Vincent Baloyi and others. The works will not be offered for sale as it is the collector's desire that they do not join the many others that have been purchased by international collectors and have left South Africa.

What does contemporary art, luxury vehicles and distilled beer have in common, that collectively encouraged South Africa's corporate and social elite to brave an icy Johannesburg evening and descend on the unlikely setting of a car showroom?

When provided by Durban's Kizo Art Consultants, illustrious car manufacturers Aston Martin Sandton and connoisseur beer brand Pilsner Urquell, its style, distinction and an artistic approach to design and craftsmanship, as showcased at the recent Where Aston Meets Art event in Sandton on Thursday 3rd August.

The common beauty of design evident in original contemporary artwork, lavish sports cars and a well refined tipple will be celebrated and enjoyed at a stunning event: Where Aston Meets Art on Thursday 3rd August in Sandton.

The exclusive cocktail function is a joint initiative between KwaZulu Natal’s highly celebrated Kizo Art Consultants, luxury car brand Aston Martin Sandton and connoisseur beer brand Pilsner Urquel.

Kizo is proud to host Wilma Cruise's solo show titled Cocks, Asses & between the 19th June and the 28th of July 2008. Wilma's exhibition includes numerous ceramic sculptures, some exceeding 3m in height and Kizo's large industrial space provides the perfect backdrop for this important body of work.

The exhibition will also feature various paintings and prints providing the public with the opportunity to acquire works by one of South Africa's most spoken about contemporary talents at a reasonable cost.

The wonderful works of Hannes grace numerous important public and private collections including: The Jhb Art Gallery, RAU, Wits, ABSA, SASOL and Richemont collections amongst numerous others.

A group showing of paintings and sculpture curated by Nathi Gumede
AMOS LETSOALO, ANTHONY HOLMES,GAVIN RAIN, ISAAIH MANZISZNI, LERATO SHADI, ARJORIE HUMAN, MARY SIBANDE, NONTOBEKO NTOMBELA, RICHARD SCOTT, VANESSA BERLEIN AND ZEPHANIAH CHUMA.

Derric van Rensburg will attend the launch of his first solo exhibition in KwaZulu Natal on Saturday 22 March. The Kizo Art Gallery in Ballito will host this exciting exhibition which will run from the 23rd March until the 14th of April 2008.

Derric has built a strong reputation both locally and abroad based on his much appreciated impressionistic style of painting. His love for and understanding of the South African landscape is very evident in his wonderful bright canvases.

Kizo is excited to host Bongi Bengu and Collen Maswanganyi for a two man show entitled Visions from the 20th March until the 20th April 2008.

The wonderful moving paintings of this extremely talented Artist, Bongi Bengu will be complimented and yet at the same time provide an interesting contrast to the fascinating and yet often humouress sculptures of Collen Maswanganyi.

Launch is on the 19 March 2008 6:30pm at Kizo Gallery RSVP essential.

President's address at the Satyagraha centenary exhibition

I am indeed delighted to participate in the inauguration of the Satyagraha Centenary Exhibition organized by Afrikhadi-India in partnership with Travancore Gallery.

I extend my greetings to the organizers, Indian and South-African artists, art-lovers, freedom fighters, students and other distinguished guests.