Basa and IDC collaborate on “Micro Moments” Women’s Day exhibition

Since 2022, Basa and IDC have collaborated on initiatives designed to showcase emerging artists and support creative entrepreneurs. This ongoing partnership has resulted in impactful projects such as the IDC Emerging Artists Show. The partnership has helped establish the IDC Gallery as a vital space for social and economic development through the arts, with a focus on youth, women and people with disabilities. These initiatives are complemented by ongoing events and activities that connect creatives to the wider market, ensuring continued support for emerging talent in South Africa’s vibrant arts sector. The latest collaboration features the moving work of self-taught artist and illustrator Audrey Lisik. Split into two themed series – ‘Scenes’ and ‘People’, her portfolio captures the duality of the artists’ lockdown experience, balancing their fears with an enduring sense of hope and creative spirit.

The Scenes series explores core tools, environments and elements from a variety of artistic disciplines, using scale to emphasise the anxiety and loneliness the artists felt during lockdown. In contrast, the Figures series offers an intimate look at the artist at home with her family, pets and crafts, emanating optimism, resilience and an enduring creative spirit.

Reflecting on her collaboration with Basa, Audrey Lisik said, “Basa has greatly enriched my creative process by recognizing my voice as an artist. They have given me the freedom to express and explore, allowing me to tap into the deeper emotions that shape my work. I am so grateful to Basa for encouraging me and artists like me to discover greater purpose and meaning in our craft.”

The exhibition ‘Micro Moments’ is one of many successful collaborations between Basa and IDC. Previous exhibitions such as ‘Natural Bonds’ and ‘Different Paths’ have also showcased the diverse talents of South African artists, in line with Basa’s strategy to support and expand opportunities for creatives within the industry.

About Audrey Lisik

Audrey Lissick is a self-taught, self-inspired artist and illustrator who immerses herself in stories, connections and nature. For her, the essence of being an artist lies in creating joy for her audience, finding moments of escape and peace. Through this exhibition, Audrey captures the duality that artists have experienced during lockdown, balancing their fears with an enduring sense of hope and creative spirit.

About Basa

Basa was established in 1997 as a joint government and private sector initiative to ensure greater involvement of South African businesses in the arts sector. Basa is a section 21 company, established under the Companies Act and registered as a public benefit organisation. As a result of its removal from the list of Schedule 3 entities, the South African Business and Arts NPC is VAT registered. Basa is accountable to its stakeholders – government, Basa members and the creative industries.

About IDC

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is a national development finance institution. The agency is South Africa’s largest development finance institution and aims to build industrial capacity and drive economic growth in the country by funding viable businesses, focusing on priority economic sectors with the greatest potential to unlock jobs. Through its corporate social investment arm’s commitment to socio-economic development, IDC supports IDC Galleries and initiatives that promote creativity, entrepreneurship and empower marginalized communities in the creative industries.