This past week, I had the incredible privilege of interning at David Krut Projects, immersing myself in every facet of their vibrant operations. From stock management and curating exhibitions to exploring the intricacies of printmaking and engaging with artists, this experience was nothing short of extraordinary.
The week began with an insightful introduction by Noma and Inno to the running of the bookstore and stock management. Hearing about the vision and mission of each department provided a strong foundation for the days ahead. My first task, adding books into the system, was an exciting challenge for my book-loving and admin-driven self, even though the system’s crash added some unexpected drama.
One of the most memorable tasks involved cleaning and repairing wrapped prints in the gallery and storage spaces. This hands-on experience brought me face-to-face with remarkable works, including prints by Diane Victor, making the otherwise routine job of dusting feel magical. It was surreal to engage so closely with art I deeply admire.
Midweek, I explored the world of social media and marketing with Jana, gaining insights into crafting posts, understanding audience engagement, and the meticulous planning behind David Krut’s digital presence. It was inspiring to see how client-centred the approach is, from heartfelt holiday posts to thoughtful newsletters that truly connected them with their audience.
A visit to the David Krut Workshop at Arts on Main was an undeniable highlight. I had the chance to meet incredible artists and printmakers, including Sbongiseni Khulu, Kim-Lee Loggenberg-Tim, Roxy Kaczmark, and Boemo Diale. Listening to Sbongiseni explain the complexities of woodcutting and the experimental processes behind Peter Cohen’s digital-to-print works was fascinating. I was thrilled to witness Mary Sibande’s recent collaboration with the workshop, a personal “fan-girl” moment. Later, I joined Maja Maljević, who shared her bright, bold pieces exploring stage and performance, turning “accidents” into intentional layers of brilliance. Boemo Diale’s Matisse-inspired monotypes and Kim-Lee’s explanation of the intricate art of printmaking, where the technique of sugarlifting was equally inspiring, introduced me to mediums I had never encountered before.
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The day continued with a crash course in curation, guided by Anya, for the two current exhibitions at David Krut. I even got to select a few pieces for the walls at 151 Jan Smuts, choosing works that complemented and juxtaposed each other. This experience gave me a new appreciation for curation as an art form which is conceptual, dynamic, and deeply thoughtful.
As the week ended, I worked alongside Robin, curating a bookshelf—a surprisingly intricate task of matching colours, sizes, and textures to create a cohesive composition. With Allison, I created a festive holiday display for the bookstore, learning how visual merchandising can elevate customer experience.
On Friday, I helped draft an advanced information document for Peter Cohen’s new work. Though I felt intimidated at first, Amé’s guidance helped me tackle the challenge.
The day wrapped up with label printing and preparation for some un-labelled artwork, tying together the various skills I had picked up throughout the week.
Saturday was a calm but productive day, starting with placing labels on artworks, including some pieces I had curated earlier. The day ended on a high note as I assisted with the sale of a Penny Siopis artwork—an exciting conclusion to an extraordinary week.
