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Professor
A Mastamet-Mason

Tel: +27 12 382 6174

Email: MasonA@tut.ac.za

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES AND CULTURAL DISCOURSES OF THE GLOBAL SOUTH

FOCUS

The research niche area investigates the interplay between economic development and cultural expression in Africa and Southern Africa's economies. The research focus area comprehensively examines how the Global South has utilised its diverse cultural heritage to create new industries and shape global narratives. By exploring the intricate relationship between cultural production, identity, and economic growth, the various arts and design disciplines highlight the transformative power of creativity in driving socio-economic progress. This niche area emphasises the need for sustainable policies that encourage and amplify cultural initiatives, leading to the holistic development of the Global South.

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This niche area is a merger of the two phased-out niche areas in the Faculty of Arts and Design, namely Reconstruction of the Past and Crafting a New Multicultural South African Landscape through the Arts and Critical Studies in Visual Arts.

Mission

  • To harness the expertise of a small, yet highly regarded, cohort of senior scholars and a growing legion of emerging researchers in the Faculty of Arts and Design.

  •  To promote and cultivate research, both practice-based/led and theoretical, into the historical, contemporary, and forthcoming performative, design, and artistic practices of the Global South.

Research Focus Areas

  • Global South Digital Platforms and Local Content

  • Transnational Collaborations in Global South Creative Industries

  • Cultural Preservation and Innovation in Global South Creativity

  • Decolonising Creative Production in the Global South

  • Creative Activism and Social Change in the Global South

  • Environmental and Ecological Discourses in Global South Art

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There are more than 30 postgraduate students registered under this niche area.

OBJECTIVES

  • To encourage and support students, lecturers, and research associates (i.e. post-doctoral fellows and faculty-linked Professor Emeritus/Extraordinaire)

  • To produce creative and research outputs that contribute to advancing the creative industries and cultural discourses of the Global South.

  • To cultivate strategic collaborations and partnerships with other institutions and funding bodies (Quadruple helix) that will increase the research output of the researchers affiliated with the niche area.

  • To generate third-stream income through creative outputs and commissioned research projects.

  • To harness creative and innovative research leading to patents and commercialisation of artefacts.

SERVICES AND PRODUCTS

  • Craftmen and artisans offer handcrafted pottery, ceramics, jewellery, and artwork that celebrate the artistic traditions of the Global South. These products carry deep cultural meanings and resonate with a growing interest in authenticity and heritage.

  • Literary and artistic contributions from the Global South explore cultural identity, history, and modern issues in literature, film, and traditional arts.

  • The TUT Arts Festival celebrates the cultural vibrancy of the Global South through music, art, literature, film, and fashion, attracting local and international audiences.

  • Performing arts, including dance, theatre, and storytelling, showcase the Global South's cultural diversity and creative talent.

  • The rise of digital platforms has enabled creators from the Global South to connect with global audiences through online content, including web series, podcasts, vlogs, and digital art.

  • Fashion and textiles from the Global South, including traditional clothing, vibrant patterns, and sustainable practices, have captured global attention.

  • Our workshops offer opportunities to develop skills and exchange knowledge in traditional and innovative arts and crafts techniques.

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The niche area SDGs are as follows:

  • SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

  • SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)

  • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

  • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

  • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

  • SDG 13 (Climate Action)

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