Akin To A Spider's Web

Tourism is big business in Africa. That is a largely redundant statement. Tourism is presumably big business in most countries. In Africa there are very many independent artists who make and sell their wares, which range from little beaded wire flowers to enormous stone elephant statues. They can be sell their wares themselves, either at local flea markets or at any gap at the side of the road or space on the pavement or traffic light, or, if they are very good and extremely lucky they may get themselves represented at local tourist traps and curio shops in prime tourist spots.

It’s actually more fun spotting an interesting and likely looking place at the side of the road and making an impromptu stop than planning a visit to, say the Waterfront and going in to all of the curiosity shops there. The atmosphere is much more lively and the sales pitches are sometimes brilliant and incredibly creative. It is possible for one person to be randomly looking at items and to have their attention drawn to one completely random item by a good sales pitch. To then be utterly unable to leave due to their absolute fascination in the spiel. It is also possible for another person, who is watching this interchange in tremendous amusement because they never believed their father to be able to be so easily caught, to then be drawn into the pitch by clever use of eye contact. This person will find their feet being drawn inexorably closer and the next thing they know their father is way on the other side looking at wooden shields and they are the proud owners of a wooden table with the big five carved into it. This may or may not be personal experience.

The wares on display are beautiful. One cannot help but buy them, duped or not. One tries, however, not to feel like one is being diddled in price. It’s very tricky though, to know what is a fair price to pay. One doesn’t want to feel that one is diddling them out of a living either. If one is not careful it can become a very diddlesome affair.

There is more on display these days than the traditional stone and wooden carvings, and the wirework. There is now some very intricate wirework with beads that is really lovely. You can get lifelike flowers from tulips and roses to sunflowers. There are also chameleons, frogs, spiders (that are very lifelike) and fish. They make beaded bowls and trays and mobiles. The mobiles are very creative and would look stunning hanging on a patio or in a bedroom or lounge.

There is also some modern artwork that may not appeal to everyone but one cannot fault its creativity or its resourcefulness. Artists recycle things like cold drink cans and match boxes and used matches and incorporate them into paintings or make tin sculptures. The paintings then become 3D works of art and together with the use of vibrant colours are used to reflect township life from the artist’s perspective.

African arts, crafts and curios are very popular internationally. Some people have African rooms in their homes while others go with an overall African theme. Many African expats like African décor because it reminds them of home. Some international import companies have latched on to the popularity of these arts and crafts and have started trading with local African artists personally. In the interests of fair trade they make sure that the artists are fully paid before the goods leave the country. The goods are then advertised on their websites along with short profiles on the artists featured. This opens up avenues for the artists that they would never have dreamed of. It means that you can buy a piece of Africa without ever having to set foot there.