Special Report | Swazi's art boom - Mail & Guardian Online

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Ray Berman: Pine Valley's painter: The painter, Ray Berman, a South African struggle exile in Swaziland, has become one of the country's best-know artists.
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Swaziland's art scene is undergoing something of a renaissance, with small galleries and studios fueling the creative fire.

Meet the artists
Swazis may be one tribe, but three of its hottest artists show the diversity of art coming from the kingdom. Hailing from sugar fields, an art enclave, and a prison guard house Khulekhani Msweli, Ray Berman, and Mesuli Mamba share little in common.

But doing art in Swaziland means these three face similar challenges, treading lightly along fine lines. They work to celebrate tradition (which they know sells) and explore modernity, to build truly Swazi styles while art education often comes from the outside, and, above all, to express discontent without incurring royal wrath

See a list of Swazi galleries here.

Sticks and stones

Small galleries and studios are impacting the Swazi art scene, providing training and support for artists as well as a place for their work to be seen and sold. These alternative art spaces have become important parts of their communities and are seen as safe places to raise issues and share ideas.