The Pongrácz Bold Print of the Year competition is another highlight on Pongrácz’s timeline of celebrating all things bold, with its history rooted in daring, innovative and bold ideas.
Inspired by Desiderius Pongrácz, who revolutionised South African viticulture, every bottle of Pongrácz is the epitome of boldness in a bottle. Desiderius Pongrácz was an innovator, a bold visionary and a promoter of new thinking. As such, they realise the value of those who inspire original ideas.
In the past, Pongrácz has collaborated with fashion designers KLûK CGDT, handbag designer Thuleka Duze and founding artist of the Legacy Collection, Charmaine Taylor. The latest collaboration with Sir Abner continues a quest to bring boldness to all of South Africa.
Seboni Abner Makgamatha, better known as “Sir Abner”, is crafting a bold future in the South African fashion industry. Artistic Director and textile print and graphic designer for David Tlale Couture, he simply views himself as a creative synthesizer who weaves ideas, design, fashion and aesthetics into a single vision.
Collaborating in the Pongrácz Bold Print of the Year campaign was a logical next step in the career of an artist who has always championed iconic and bold design.
His winning print, “The Populist”, was inspired by Desiderius Pongrácz, the nobleman who smuggled vines into South Africa after fleeing uprisings in Hungary, and so revolutionised South African viticulture. During Desiderius’ lifetime he challenged and changed the status quo through visionary ideas that encouraged others and dared to be different.
“The Populist” was also inspired by postal art and correspondence art, which is a populist artistic movement centred around sending small scale works through the postal service. Sir Abner created a code through design – EOIC 3ULD – which when folded upwards translates to BOLD, reflecting the pioneering spirit of Desiderius Pongrácz.
Sir Abner transformed the military camouflage print, which symbolises camaraderie and bravery, into black and white, and infused the design with the iconic South African Shangaan bag, which represents hope, courage and optimism.
To find out more about Sir Abner’s bold design philosophy, watch the ‘Couch Conversations’ series on facebook (@PongraczCapClassique) or Instagram (@pongracz_sa).
You can also see more on the Pongrácz Bold Campaign of the Year there or at www.pongracz.co.za.
‘Couch Conversations’ features bold questions, and some candid answers, from Sir Abner as well as other design and fashion influencers. Fittingly, all are seated comfortably on a couch adorned by Sir Abner’s Bold Print of the Year.
Picture/s: supplied