USURPA's NFT-powered world of possibilities
The emergence of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) has changed the game for art enthusiasts and artists. In South Africa, NFTs are just beginning to make their mark.
Enter USURPA: the first fine-art physical NFT gallery in South Africa. USURPA has taken digital art from the constraints of tiny screens into the physical space, connecting art lovers with the new medium on Samsung Frame Technology. Located in Riviera, the gallery made a splash earlier this month with its The New Medium group exhibition featuring twelve South African artists. USURPA CEO Steve Tanchel says digital art and NFTs “presents an exciting opportunity to transform the art scene in South Africa.”
In case you’re not yet aware, or haven’t quite wrapped your head around it all, NFTs are digital certificates of ownership that allow digital artwork to be authenticated and sold as one-of-a-kind pieces. Each NFT is authenticated on a blockchain, ensuring that it cannot be replicated or counterfeited.
NFTs allow artists to create digital works that are as valuable and collectable as traditional art but can be shared on the internet reaching a wider audience. For African artists particularly, the NFT market provides a platform for representation, inclusivity and exposure in the global art market.
“I've always been drawn to digital art. It's incredible that I can create something that is wholly unique,” artist Naledi Modupi says, “and that I can share my art with so many people all over the world.”
Modupi is a South-African-based illustrator and visual artist who works in both the digital and traditional art mediums, and whose work was showcased in the exhibition.
“Digital art is an exciting medium to work with,” she says. “My mind can run free when I have diverse tools at my fingertips. There are limitless colour options, pens and markers, and mediums to experiment with… there are no limits to how I can explore and express myself.”
Excitingly, NFTs offer a dynamic canvas for artists. This allows them “to continuously enhance their artworks with new coding, creating an ever-evolving and interactive experience for the audience. We believe that a ‘never-ending canvas’ will allow the artist with powers they never thought they could ever have,” Tanchel says.
NFTs have the potential to transform the way we think about ownership and authenticity in the digital age, opening doors for fair compensation for artists.
“We now have this opportunity to keep track of the digital footprint of our art, tracing the value as it moves from owner to owner. It provides a sense of transparency and ownership, which ultimately benefits the artist and recognises their hard work,” Modupi said.
NFT technology also enables artists to receive royalties whenever their artworks are resold, creating a more sustainable income stream.
“At USURPA, we are at the intersection between using physical fine art and new technologies such as AI and AR. We believe that when both of these forces meet and are used correctly, they can create something absolutely beautiful and never dreamed or seen before,” Tanchel says.
The exhibition is from 4 May to 1 June 2023. USURPA is open from Tuesday to Friday between 10 am and 5pm and by appointment only on Saturdays.3
Article by: Shaazia Ebrahim