The Beautiful Things Exhibition

A Showcase of South Africa’s Finest
A national celebration of handcrafted excellence curated to spotlight the artistry, diversity, and innovation of local makers.
Despite a rich tradition of craftsmanship, South African handmade products are often underrepresented in national cultural showcases and overlooked by design gatekeepers.
A round, black ceramic vase features four wide, flared openings, each lined with a different colour. The surface is decorated with dotted, colourful, radiating lines and circles resembling abstract constellations or fireworks.
A colourful ceramic tea set with a teapot, two cups, and matching saucers. The set features black backgrounds decorated with dotted patterns in white, yellow, red, blue, and green, radiating like fireworks. The cup interiors are teal and orange.
A tall, textured wooden sculpture of a woman with exaggerated, angular shoulders, prominent breasts, and arms crossed below her chest. She wears a long, close-fitting skirt, and her facial features are carved with a serene, closed-mouth expression.
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Dozens of makers represented across disciplines
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Significant press coverage and public attendance
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Boosted exposure for participating artisans and their work
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National showcase curated and produced by ART AID
ART AID curated, facilitated, and directed a national exhibition that brought together the best of Mzansi’s maker, telling a collective story through beadwork, woodwork, textiles, ceramics, and more. Each item reflected skill, narrative, and place.
An acclaimed exhibition that elevated the profile of South African craft, created new platforms for artisans, and positioned handmade as high design.
A BMX bicycle covered in colourful beadwork sits on an orange plinth in front of glass doors. The intricate bead patterns are geometric and vibrant, wrapping the entire frame, handlebars, and fork. Reflections and people are visible in the background through the glass.
Colourful embroidered artwork depicts people in masks, standing 2 metres apart. Text reads “I lost my work during COVID-19 lockdown levels.” Other stitched messages urge social distancing and no smoking. There are stylised plants, houses, and a rainbow in the background.
Two large orange vases with fish designs stand on colourful patterned platforms. Between them, a grey and white cat lies curled up on a pink and blue plinth. A reflection of a person taking the photo appears in the glass behind the display.
A round, black ceramic vase features four wide, flared openings, each lined with a different colour. The surface is decorated with dotted, colourful, radiating lines and circles resembling abstract constellations or fireworks.
A large round black vase with four wide, colourful spouts and dotted, starburst patterns sits on display. Above it, a white canvas features geometric, starburst designs made from colourful beads and string, mounted on a red wall in a vibrant art exhibit.
A man in a purple checked blazer speaks at a lectern with a microphone. Behind him is a banner reading “BEAUTIFUL THINGS 2.0” and a woman wearing a face mask stands to the side. It appears to be an official event related to sport, arts, and culture.
A display of various sculptures and pottery is arranged on colourful plinths under a marquee. The setup features abstract figures, vases, a black crouching figure, wooden statuettes, bowls, and a framed circular geometric artwork on bright orange and blue panels.
A round wooden stool with black legs. The seat features a colourful geometric pattern with triangles, rectangles, and trapezoids in orange, yellow, green, purple, and blue, outlined in black and white.
A colourful ceramic tea set sits on a pink surface. The set includes a teapot and two cups with matching saucers, all decorated with bright dots and geometric patterns. The cups' interiors are yellow and teal, and a patterned backdrop is visible behind them.
A display at an exhibition features a sign about South African craft, supported by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. In front, two woven black-and-white baskets are stacked. Bright patterned textiles and wooden crafts surround the display.
A museum exhibition with colourful displays on plinths, featuring bottles, sculptures, and crafts. Large illuminated panels with text are in the background. Natural light enters from glass doors, and a person stands near the entrance. The setting is modern and well-lit.
A colourful event poster for
A museum-style display with colourful plinths holds various art pieces and pottery. Large vertical panels with text and images stand behind, providing exhibition information. The backdrop includes shelves of products and a wooden ceiling with exposed beams.
A tall, slender wooden sculpture of a woman with a beaded necklace, stylised facial features, elongated arms, and a textured long skirt; her hands are posed together at her waist, and she gazes to the side with a serene expression.
Colourful display of woven hats and textiles. Foreground: large, round, straw hat with bold black geometric patterns. Behind it is a conical, tan hat with intricate weave. Background items include patterned cushions and panels with vibrant circular designs.
Three tall, slender wooden sculptures of stylised women stand on an orange table. Each figure has elongated features and textured dresses. Behind them, a poster shows a portrait of a person with styled hair and jewellery, set under a tent with people in the background.
A close-up of a grid pattern made from small, round beads in red, white, black, and grey. The design features alternating horizontal and vertical stripes, creating a bold, geometric, check-like abstract composition.
Colourful ceramic vases with textured surfaces are displayed on blue and pink plinths. Behind them is a vertical panel with a vibrant, patchwork Africa-shaped wall art. A person stands near large windows in the background.
A colourful ceramic tea set with a teapot, two cups, and matching saucers. The set features black backgrounds decorated with dotted patterns in white, yellow, red, blue, and green, radiating like fireworks. The cup interiors are teal and orange.
Two round stools with colourful, geometric patterns on the seats and legs sit on a patterned green platform in a display case. A background image shows a person, and labels with details about the stools are visible on the display’s edge.
A tall, textured wooden sculpture of a woman with exaggerated, angular shoulders, prominent breasts, and arms crossed below her chest. She wears a long, close-fitting skirt, and her facial features are carved with a serene, closed-mouth expression.
Two porcelain vases with bold geometric designs sit on a pink surface. The left vase is yellow with black and white dot circles; the right is blue with white rings and a red rim. An orange wall is behind them, and a label with artist details is partially visible.
A wooden cylindrical stick stands upright on a purple fabric background, decorated with bright red, yellow, and green floral designs on the left side. The stick appears weathered and slightly rough.
A beaded necklace displayed on a woven stand is in the foreground. Behind it is a poster of a young man with half of his face painted white, the other half bare, and he is wearing colourful earrings and a denim jacket, against a blue background.
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