An artist’s retreat rooted in expression and resilience
Nestled in the scenic town of Porterville, South Africa, the Purple Mountain Arts Residency offers a nurturing space for artists to explore and expand their creative practice. In this tranquil rural setting, artists find a safe retreat to create, reflect, and connect. The residency welcomes creatives from Africa and beyond.
The Purple Mountain Arts Residency is an NPC, based in Porterville, Western Cape, South Africa. The residency provides a safe and nurturing environment for queer individuals to expand and further explore their creative practice.
Founded by artists Carl Collison and Aldo Brincat, a mixed-race queer couple, the residency draws upon their diverse life experiences and multi-disciplinary artistic expertise. The residency opened in June 2024 and offers rolling programmes ranging from two weeks to one month. While the residency invites queer creatives from Africa, creatives from across the world are also most welcome.
The residency’s name, Purple Mountain, is inspired by the Olifants River Mountain, which occasionally takes on a rich purple hue at twilight in June. This colour symbolizes creativity, wisdom, dignity, devotion, integrity, independence, pride, and, uniquely in South Africa, defiance.
At the height of anti-apartheid movement, on September 2, 1989, anti-apartheid protesters marched to Parliament in Cape Town, when they were stopped by police. An impromptu sit-in saw police retaliate with batons, teargas, and a new weapon – a water-cannon spraying purple dye to stain demonstrators and make them easier to identify and detain. As the crowds scattered, a protester climbed onto the armoured vehicle and turned the cannon’s purple jet onto the police. Purple dye stained most of the surrounding buildings, including the National Party headquarters. The march became known as the “Purple Rain” event. The next day, graffiti around the city proclaimed: “The Purple Shall Govern”.
Porterville is a scenic rural town nestled at the base of the Olifants River Mountain, just two hours’ drive from Cape Town. Established in 1863 on land originally inhabited by the Khoekhoen people, the town is named after William Porter, an Irishman and former Attorney-General of the Cape Colony. Porter’s commitment to justice and equality helped shape South Africa’s first Constitution in 1854, which aimed to prohibit racial discrimination and introduce the multiracial “Cape Qualified Franchise.” However, these ideals were later eroded in favour of white supremacy.
Today, Porterville reflects South Africa’s complex history, bearing the marks of colonialism and apartheid while striving for social harmony. Although fairly integrated, the town continues to grapple with economic inequality and conservative socio-political views. Any apparent social cohesion and harmony is achieved through the goodwill of its citizens in the absence of government support and policy.
Despite these challenges, Porterville provides a tranquil and inspiring environment for artists seeking a peaceful retreat to focus on their craft.
