South African National Gallery

bonani 4th quarter 1997

Director's Message Current Exhibitions & Special Events Friends of the National Gallery

Lost Histories: Photographs by Joy Gregory 29 November - 15 February 1998

Joy Gregory, from Auto Portraits, 1990, silver gelatine

Joy Gregory is an artist, photographer and educator who lives and works in South London. Her work is an example of the artist in mid-career whose opportunities have been restricted in particular ways. Concerned with Truth and Beauty on the one hand and Race and Gender politics on the other, it has not been easy for her art to gain the attention it might have, had she chosen either a more polemical route or foregone cultural politics altogether in favour of a more restricted formal practice. From her earliest studies at the Royal College of Art, her work has depicted fragments and layers of herself, providing evidence that the artist was a woman, and indeed, a black woman. Then her work began moving away from the layering and softer treatment, calling on the camera's ability to draw accurate representations of that which is feared most - a rendering of skin tone. Skin is that most interesting of organs in that it is in touch with both the inside and the outside worlds. Gregory negotiates a delicate path between the political demands of making the black body visible and desirable, as well as subverting the conventions of beauty as expressed by the fashion industry. Her work explores the peculiarity that images can be used as both rallying cries for a black woman's identity and illustrations for magazine work.

For all its rounded contours and feminine gaze, her works are calling attention to an urgent need to redefine the cultural significance of skin colour; that organ with which we meet the outside world, which we cannot shed and which protects us from the external world. 'Lost Histories' confronts the alienation of a nation whose history has been denuded of its cultural traditions. Using the traditions of her time and place as a South London black woman, Gregory's work helps us to understand the mechanisms, responses and reactions to this loss.

The Triumphal Arch and Beyond closes 16 November Click here to view the Internet exhibition

Simon Stone, Punk and Duck, 1986, oil on canvas

This selection of drawings from the SANG permanent collection includes work by 'Guercino' (Francesco Barbieri, 1591-1666), Domenico Campagnola (1485-1550), Perugino (1446-1503), Gericault (1791-1824), Courbet (1819-1877), Sickert (1860-1942), Pierneef (1886-1957) and Kentridge (b1955). The exhibition illustrates different styles of drawings and the variety of media used by artists. It also presents a general history of drawing beginning with the 16th century and including contemporary examples. It looks at drawing as an issue of contention between the Tuscan and Venetian schools at the time when the term disegno acquired an almost mystical significance and alludes to the debate continued in the 19th century between Ingres and Delacroix.

An information pamphlet and a variety of educational programmes supplement the exhibition.

Lectures

Quarterly History of Art Lectures

These two important European movements will be considered in the context of the period between the First and Second World Wars. Ideas of diversity and difference are some of the most interesting features of both movements and affect the way in which representation is produced. Dr Caryll Shear, art historian and chair-person of the Friends of the SANG, will discuss the origins, innovations and sequelae of the these movements. Fee R25 (includes tea). Bookings 7884106. Fred Page, Lord of the Fugitive Images, 1971, acrylic on canvas

Women Writers of the 1990s

Historical Society of Cape Town

Brahms
Wednesday 12 November 10:30
Speaker: Professor Barry Smith
There is no lecture in December. Entry R5. Free to members with cards. To book tel: 788 4106. All welcome.

Livable and Lovable Cities

Favourite South African Townscapes
Wednesday 27 August 10:30 - 11:30
Each one of us has a favourite South African townscape (here we need not use the word city). Could yours be the City of Saints, the Big Hole, President Brand Street or the Workshop? In this lecture we revel in 'east, west, home's best', and take a look at our European and African roots.
This series by Professor van Zyl continues. Admission R15 includes tea. Bookings tel: 788 4106.

Poetry Society

Readings

Saturday 8 November 15:00
Tatomkhulu Afrika
Tatomkhulu Afrika has won virtually every poetry prize awarded in South Africa. He has published six volumes of poetry, a novel, The Innocents (David Phillip), and a quartet of novellas, Tight Rope
(Mayibuye).

Saturday 13 December 15:00
Anne Emslie
Anne Emslie, Penguin author, is a writer, painter and art historian. She currently works as a designer at the Montebello Design Centre and writes poetry as an entertainment.
Entry is free and wine will be served. Booking not essential but let us know if you are coming, it helps with the catering. Tel: 788 4106.

Adult Drawing Classes

Friday 10, 17, 24, 31 October
Friday 14, 21 November
10:00 - 12:00 or 14:30 - 16:30
These classes fill up fast, and only 16 participants are accepted in each class, so book early to avoid disappointment! The fee is R120, excluding materials, but these requirements are simple and a list is provided at the first class.
Bookings tel: 788 4106. Cheques to be made out to Stan Cohen.

Concerts

Sunday 23 November 15:30
Flute and Piano
Corvin Matei (flute) and Liza Geldenhuys (piano) will perform works by Donizetti, Faure, Bartok, Debussy and Poulenc. Sunday 21 December 15:30
Viola and piano
Zoltan Tacsik (viola) and Sandra Kettle (piano) perform Schumann's Fantasy pieces, Shostakovich's Sonata op.147 and Cezar Franck's Sonata in A major.

Please Note: Admission is now R15, and R12 for seniors and scholars under 12.
We had to make this small adjustment to our ticket prices as these are the same as five years ago. The income generated from ticket sales goes to the performers, so we hope you will approve this increase.
Bookings tel: 788 4106.

Writing Workshop

Writing Yourself: Creating a Life Story

This experiential course is for anyone who wants to work with personal memory as a way of processing or recording their life and times, and/or of leaving gifts for children and grandchildren. We explore creative ways of writing the memories that have made us who we are. We are the stories we tell about ourselves. We also examine how mythical, folk and fairy tale motifs provide themes for our stories and help us create a sense of community. The course considers imagination, inspiration, crafting and editing. Participants don't need special talents to attend and beginners are welcome. We work in supportive groups. People who wish to explore other forms of creative writing should also find the weekend helpful. The course is influenced by mythology, left and right brain theory, creation spirituality, narrative therapy and Jungian psychology.
Dorian Haarhoff, the facilitator, is a published poet/children's story writer, dramatist and a Namibian academic (English literature) with a deep belief in the power of stories.

Fee R125 (members R110). Note, there are 2 half-price places available. Telephone: 788 4106.

Museum Café

The Museum Café is now under the management of Nicky du Toit and Suzanne Bishop, who make the most of seasonal ingredients, with an emphasis on freshness and flavour. Now that summer's here, you can take your tea on the lawn overlooking the mountain-fringed bay. Teas include their popular flavoured muffins, a very different carrot cake and their new hit, an apple frangipani tart. Enjoy 'eggs florentine' for breakfast, and for lunch, a Cape bobotie or pesto, rocket and cheese sandwich. There are also delicious special offerings each day. They have an economical package for end-of-year functions, and look forward to welcoming your party. Telephone: 788 2130 to book your table.