Sonja Swanepoel, a sculptor and environmental architect, created Avis fragilis, a delicate figure with a shell-like quality that shows how something that’s fragile can also be powerful.
Irene Kakooza, communications manager, JLR South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa, said: “Jaguar is committed to building a rich and inclusive culture that reflects our communities. It is a great honour to be a part of this initiative that goes beyond highlighting the plight of women in an unequal society, but also seeks to celebrate their creativity and contribution to their communities and the country.
“The six artists’ interpretation of the brief and execution of their design is exemplary, and perfectly reflects the inner strength and resilience of women. These are qualities that we need to hone more to shift the needle in the empowerment of women, and to advance positive societal change in SA.”
The 2023 Crown Collection, curated by the highly regarded and accomplished ARRCC interior design and décor studio, will be housed at the prestigious Melrose Gallery in Johannesburg until August 25 2023 for viewing and purchases. Proceeds from the 2023 campaign will go towards the Crown Bursary Fund to benefit aspiring female designers.
Over the years, the Crown Collection has helped raise funds to start an innovative schools’ education campaign that uses the arts to educate learners on issues of gender equality.
The exhibition at Melrose Gallery closes on August 25.
giveheracrown.co.za
2023 Crown Collection Celebrates women’s strength and artistry
In this year’s #GiveHerACrown campaign, six female artists use diverse disciplines to challenge narratives, revealing the power and resilience of women
Image: Supplied
The recent reveal of the 2023 Crown Collection — through an exhibition at the Melrose gallery — from the six female artists participating in this year’s #GiveHerACrown campaign championed a diverse range of artistic disciplines and highlighted some of the brutality faced by women daily, while celebrating a collection aimed at inspiring women across the country to embrace their individuality and differences.
Officially launched in 2020, the #GiveHerACrown, empowered by Jaguar, exists to change the narrative for South African women by telling the stories of the survivors, the activists, the pioneers and the next generation. The campaign has also played an important role in uplifting female artists, by providing a platform to showcase their talent and share their stories to inspire other women.
The campaign saw each of the six artists create a piece aligned with the theme of “celebrating the exquisite details of women”. The result is a collection of bespoke creations, labelled the Crown Collection. Characterised by impeccable design that conveys the creator’s intent to inspire and encourage women to embrace not only their uniqueness and individuality, but their inner strength to rise up and overcome challenges.
Crowning moment
Andiswa Bhungane, a resin and acrylic painter, showcased Bold and Unbound, symbolising the transition from dark to light as a powerful way to represent the universal experience of overcoming negativity through female empowerment.
Image: Supplied
Beth Diane Armstrong, a steel sculptress, unveiled Halo, which offers women space to reflect on their strength and purity, and to celebrate their femininity.
Image: Supplied
Lara Klawikowski, a fashion designer, revealed The Beauty of Resilience, an artisanal womenswear piece that showcases the resilience of women and the unique and empowered beauty that emerges when a woman realises her own strength.
Image: Supplied
Helena Hugo, a pastel artist, created Daphne’s Wreath, which signifies intrinsic strength, survival and new life.
Image: Supplied
Shelley Mokoena, also a fashion designer, showcased Ophidia, which uses the enigmatic allure of a serpent to symbolise, with every thread, the intricate process of transformation, renewal and strength.
Image: Supplied
Sonja Swanepoel, a sculptor and environmental architect, created Avis fragilis, a delicate figure with a shell-like quality that shows how something that’s fragile can also be powerful.
Irene Kakooza, communications manager, JLR South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa, said: “Jaguar is committed to building a rich and inclusive culture that reflects our communities. It is a great honour to be a part of this initiative that goes beyond highlighting the plight of women in an unequal society, but also seeks to celebrate their creativity and contribution to their communities and the country.
“The six artists’ interpretation of the brief and execution of their design is exemplary, and perfectly reflects the inner strength and resilience of women. These are qualities that we need to hone more to shift the needle in the empowerment of women, and to advance positive societal change in SA.”
The 2023 Crown Collection, curated by the highly regarded and accomplished ARRCC interior design and décor studio, will be housed at the prestigious Melrose Gallery in Johannesburg until August 25 2023 for viewing and purchases. Proceeds from the 2023 campaign will go towards the Crown Bursary Fund to benefit aspiring female designers.
Over the years, the Crown Collection has helped raise funds to start an innovative schools’ education campaign that uses the arts to educate learners on issues of gender equality.
The exhibition at Melrose Gallery closes on August 25.
giveheracrown.co.za
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