SPIRIT Sport is Art | Photographic Exhibition

15 Sep 2011

The JAG Sports and Education Foundation has teamed up with Absa Private Bank to showcase an inspiring exhibition of photographs by some of South Africa’s top sports photographers. The exhibition entitled SPIRIT unveils the force within the human spirit in the context of sport as a fine art.

The proceeds from this charity exhibition, which kicks off with a live auction, will benefit The JAG Foundation, whose community work strives to improve the lives of South African children through sport.

Dan Nicholl and Liezel van der Westhuizen will present the evening and lead the photography auction.

The big names in sports photography as well as exciting newcomers are represented in the SPIRIT exhibition. Some of the photographers featured are Carl Fourie, whose World Cup 2011 photo of South African soccer supporters in a shabeen was published on the cover of the New York Times; Greg Beadle, joint owner of MUSEUM photographic gallery in Woodstock who recently covered the 2011 Tour de France; Akona Kenqu, who has artistically captured the movements of Soweto street skateboarders; and Nick Muzik, a World Cup 2011 photographer for Sports Illustrated USA who is also passionate about big waves and bicycles.

Other photographers include Dylan Culhane, Jacques Marais, James Kydd, Jacques Weyers, Nic Bothma, Craig Kolesky, Karin Schermbrucker, Thys Lombard, Bridget de Gersigny, Sven Martin, Julian Goldswain, Sam Clark, Charles Biggs, Les Goodman, Duif du Toit, Lee Warren and Lefty Shivambu.

A sculpted bust donated by Cape Town-based artist Lionel Smit is also included in the SPIRIT collection. Smit has a growing international followin and his work was recently featured on the cover of a Christie’s charity auction catalogue in London.

“The essence of spirit in sport is difficult to define, but is the underlying truth behind sport’s power to inspire and change lives,” says Elana Meyer, Chief Executive Officer of the JAG Foundation. “These talented photographers have managed to catch what moves us all about sport with a lens and share their interpretations. I can think of no finer tribute to the spirit of JAG than this dynamic and striking body of work.”

The JAG Foundation seeks to give South African children the opportunity to achieve their potential and contribute to peace and the nation’s social well-being through sport and education. Through investments in poor communities, JAG builds structures that offer alternatives to a dead-end life, teaching good values and enhancing self-esteem, self-discipline, focus and sportsmanship.

“We are proud to be associated with this prestigious charity event, which not only celebrates the essence of spirit in sport, but also gives artistic expression to the central role that sport plays in unifying South Africa,” says Moeketsi Setai, Acting Managing Executive of Absa Private Bank.

A full-colour booklet featuring all of the photographs on exhibition will be available for purchase.

For further information or to RSVP for the evening contact Nelleke Bakkes

Tel: 083 2907049

Email nbakkes@gmail.com