This year’s East London Eisteddfod (ELFest) High Schools Art Exhibition showcased outstanding talent, with Stirling High School’s Philasande Tsengiwe and Clarendon High School for Girls’ Lukonde Mwanza earning rare triple golds.
The exhibition, which opened on May 12 and closes tomorrow, May 23, boasts 400 entries from 10 schools across the city. The plethora of gold and double gold awards adorning the pieces is a testament to the consistent improvement in art at school level especially among schools who do not have robust art programmes.
The coveted triple gold award was introduced into the visual arts category for the first time last year and represents the pinnacle of excellence for this eisteddfod. To earn this award, a pupil’s work needs to be conceptually strong, technically proficient and visually distinctive. Belgravia Art Centre’s Vasti Petzer said the award is not given lightly. It is rare and difficult for a piece to tick all the boxes but both Philasande and Lukonde’s mastery proved sufficient enough for the honour.
Philasande has won this award for the second consecutive year and this has given him the freedom to envision a limitless future for himself as an artist. He credits the teaching staff at Belgravia Art Centre, especially Petzer, for giving him the confidence to create without judgment and fear. His triple gold award winning work focused on the devastating psychological impacts of body dysmorphia.
Petzer said: “At first glance, it’s a clay sculpture of a torso and spiky thighs, dressed in a corset. But when you walk around to view it from behind, you notice two eyes peering out from the buttocks — something that really takes you by surprise.
“It adds an element of intrigue and discomfort. I believe that if a piece can evoke that kind of reaction. It stands out from the rest.”
Philasande said: “Achieving this award two years in a row gives me so much hope. The art industry isn’t always the one people pay the most attention to, but I believe that doing something you truly love is one of the best things in life.
“My piece was inspired by my own experience with body dysmorphia, because it’s hard to see yourself in a positive light with the beauty standards we are exposed to on social media.
“The eyes in the back of the piece aren’t meant to be confrontational. They are more like a silent plea, as if I’m looking at the world and asking, ‘What do you want me to do next?’ The open laces on the corset are left free for the viewer to decide how tight it should be, symbolising how society takes control over how we should look.
“Art has played a significant role in my life and education. I felt scared and insecure about my work. However, being at Belgravia has created a sense of family that allows me to flourish in my art. I know that after school I want to be in a creative space.
“I’m a creative person, so I see myself in a creative industry maybe as a creative director or art director.”
Lukonde has had a phenomenal year so far winning first place in the prestigious SA Pavilion Schools competition, exhibited at Keyes Art Mile Gallery in March for her mixed media marvel entitled, Quiet Ground. This piece was also selected in 2024 to be the cover art work for the English Alive 2024 schools poetry anthology.
Adding this triple gold award to her arsenal of achievements is a huge honour for her. Her piece is a self-portrait that explores surrealist themes to encourage viewers to look beyond the surface and to discard easy judgments of others. The surrounding dream-like space reflects inner thought and imagination.
She said: “This award is such an incredible and unexpected honor. I did not anticipate such a high merit for this piece.
“Art has been a constant in my life since primary school.
“Since grade 10, it’s played a central role in both my personal and academic journey. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have the support and guidance of my teacher, Natalie van Wyk, who has been instrumental in my development.
“I also draw a lot of inspiration from artists like Monet and Van Gogh. Their use of colour and emotion has deeply influenced my own style.
“Art will always be a vital part of my life. I plan to carry my creativity forward by pursuing a career in architecture as it a field that allows for both artistic expression and real-world impact.”
Petzer said the quality of the work submitted every year by the schools is consistently improving.
She added: “The Eisteddfod has always been a very popular exhibition, and this year marks the first time the high school and primary school exhibitions are being held separately.
“This change was made due to the increasing number of entries in previous years, which allowed us to include more artworks overall.
“The quality of work each year is outstanding, and perhaps having a high school-focused exhibition helps elevate the standard.”
