Vandalised Arts Centre Leaves Komani Artist Searching For Space

A local visual artist is appealing for help to find a large workspace after the Queenstown Arts Centre was vandalised, leaving him with nowhere to complete a major commission for a Cape Town company.

Lwando Hlazo, who is based in Mlungisi, Komani, said he secured a project through social media to paint an 8 metre by 2 metre canvas for Spar’s boardroom in Cape Town. But the scale of the work means he needs a hall or similar space for about two weeks.

“So I need a big space to do the project, like a hall for two weeks,” Hlazo said.

He said the Queenstown Arts Centre was meant to be a workspace for local artists but has been vandalised and is no longer usable.

“Art centre is a place where we should be working as artists but it’s vandalised and we can’t work from that place,” he said.

Hlazo said he is currently walking around town asking for help and has also posted on Facebook in the hope that someone can offer a suitable venue.

“Right now I’m on my way to Komani hospital hoping to get a space where I can work,” he said on Friday.

The artist, who specialises in painting, said the project is a major opportunity but the lack of space is a major challenge.

“This is huge challenge for me an artist and I don’t know which places to go to here in Komani,” he said.

Hlazo is appealing to anyone who can assist with access to a hall or large room in Komani to contact him.

Anyone able to help can reach Hlazo on 082 422 2690.