Since 2000 Monkeybiz has supported in the region of 250 bead artists to continue creating these unique artworks. All profits for the sale of artworks go back into the community where bead artists are provided with year-end bonuses and funeral cover for their immediate families. The crowning achievement of Monkeybiz is that it recognises and develops the artistic ability of people who have never had the opportunity to express themselves through art. Monkeybiz provides a platform for beaders to become artists within their own right.
The ethos that we try and live up to, is:
1. To empower women to become financially independent for their families and communities. Each piece is paid for immediately when the Bead Artist brings it to our Studio. The Artist’s work from home, enabling them to be homemakers as well as to earn their own money every day. We provide every Artist with food vouchers and pay for a funeral policy for themselves and their extended families (traditionally, funerals are very big, and very expensive. Most people originally come from the Eastern Cape and travel is very pricey). Every Artist has their own bank account and money is transferred immediately.
2. To revive the art of Beadwork, which has been lost due to modernisation of the art world and lack of interest among young artists Originally, traditional beading was done to communicate a message through colours. It was also primarily flat, mainly done to adorn clothing, jewellery, etc. We use the traditional methods of beading, with a modern twist of vibrant, funky colours and patterns. We bead onto 3D shapes and some very irregular surfaces, which is what makes our designs so unique. Additionally, the elders in the communities teach their young people, thereby passing traditions, skills and ancient crafts along to the younger generations.
3. To create a platform for the crafters to become artists in their own right Every piece is Monkeybiz tagged and signed by the Artist. This enables some Collectors to follow and collect a certain Artist’s artworks. We collaborate with some very, very big names… we went on a special journey, with THE HAAS BROTHERS from LA. This resulted in an Exhibition, which was launched in February 2016 at THE COOPER HEWITT SMITHSONIUM in NEW YORK!!! Every Bead Artist who worked on these pieces was acknowledged and mentioned in the Book, The Haas Brothers Volume Two - Afreaks. This has enabled our Artists to feel valued, and hopefully, the motivation to continue their work and experiment in the future, expanding and enhancing their craft. This is on-going and we so appreciate the incredible support and exposure that is given to MONKEYBIZ.
Since 2000 Monkeybiz has supported in the region of 250 bead artists to continue creating these unique artworks. All profits for the sale of artworks go back into the community where bead artists are provided with year-end bonuses and funeral cover for their immediate families. The crowning achievement of Monkeybiz is that it recognises and develops the artistic ability of people who have never had the opportunity to express themselves through art. Monkeybiz provides a platform for beaders to become artists within their own right.
The ethos that we try and live up to, is:
1. To empower women to become financially independent for their families and communities. Each piece is paid for immediately when the Bead Artist brings it to our Studio. The Artist’s work from home, enabling them to be homemakers as well as to earn their own money every day. We provide every Artist with food vouchers and pay for a funeral policy for themselves and their extended families (traditionally, funerals are very big, and very expensive. Most people originally come from the Eastern Cape and travel is very pricey). Every Artist has their own bank account and money is transferred immediately.
2. To revive the art of Beadwork, which has been lost due to modernisation of the art world and lack of interest among young artists Originally, traditional beading was done to communicate a message through colours. It was also primarily flat, mainly done to adorn clothing, jewellery, etc. We use the traditional methods of beading, with a modern twist of vibrant, funky colours and patterns. We bead onto 3D shapes and some very irregular surfaces, which is what makes our designs so unique. Additionally, the elders in the communities teach their young people, thereby passing traditions, skills and ancient crafts along to the younger generations.
3. To create a platform for the crafters to become artists in their own right Every piece is Monkeybiz tagged and signed by the Artist. This enables some Collectors to follow and collect a certain Artist’s artworks. We collaborate with some very, very big names… we went on a special journey, with THE HAAS BROTHERS from LA. This resulted in an Exhibition, which was launched in February 2016 at THE COOPER HEWITT SMITHSONIUM in NEW YORK!!! Every Bead Artist who worked on these pieces was acknowledged and mentioned in the Book, The Haas Brothers Volume Two - Afreaks. This has enabled our Artists to feel valued, and hopefully, the motivation to continue their work and experiment in the future, expanding and enhancing their craft. This is on-going and we so appreciate the incredible support and exposure that is given to MONKEYBIZ.