|
17/09/2007 |
Making waves - a selection from the
SABC art collection
A version of this exhibition, previously shown at the Johannesburg
Art Gallery in 2004–5 and at the National Arts Festival in
Grahamstown in 2006, is to be shown at the Iziko Good Hope Gallery
at the Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town from September 6th to October
28th 2007.
The exhibition which will feature approximately 100 works attempts
what no South African collection, either public or corporate, has
previously done, to provide both an interpretation of the
development of South African art through the 20th century and a
selection of the best contemporary South African work.
The historical coverage traces the emergence of a local tradition
distinguishable from the earlier indigenous and Europe-derived
traditions. The latter is illustrated in the work of Kay, Laubser,
Preller and Stern among others.
The local tradition is seen as originating in the township painters
from Sekoto among others in the 30s to Motjuoadi, Ngatane and
Sihlali in the 60s and 70s and also in the very different hybrid
products of the Rorke’s Drift and Polly Street art schools in the
third quarter of the century.
Of pivotal importance in this process is the unique work produced in
the context of political struggle after Sharpville 1960 and Soweto
1976, seminally in the drawings of Dumile and Motau in the 60s,
followed in the 70s and the 80s by the work of Kumalo, Legae,
Alexander, Ractliffe and others in a range of media.
In addition distributed through the exhibition spaces are some of
the finest examples of contemporary South African work in a range of
media, including the sculptures of Hlungwane, Mabasa and Schütz, the
drawings of Kentridge and Victor, the photographs of Mofokeng and
Tillim, the prints of Rakgoethe and Shilakoe, the mixed media of
Nhlengethwa and Rose and the paintings of Hodgins and Siopis. The
work of several younger artists including Gush, Hlobo, Hugo and
Madikida is also featured.
The works are hung in a series of numbered and labelled spaces
forming a suite of themes from Struggle and Identity through Street
to that which informs much of the exhibition - Predicament. The
exhibition includes a number of exceptionally fine recently acquired
works, both historical and contemporary. An illustrated catalogue
with text and alphabetical list of artists will be available to
viewers.
The exhibition, which received a BASA award in 2006, has been widely
acclaimed in art journals and in the press. Among these, Art South
Africa commented: “When it comes to corporate and public art
collections, the SABC collection is one of the most potent
assemblies of work this country has to offer.” And the Sunday Times
wrote: “Making Waves shows a consistent sensitivity to artistic
quality and social relevance…In quantity and quality [it] has the
critical mass needed to give an illuminating overview of our
troubled history,”
The exhibition which has been curated by Koulla Xinisteris,
Collection curator, and Graham Neame, Collection art advisor, will
be opened on 6th September 2007 at 6.00pm by the Chief Financial
Officer of the SABC, Robin Nicholson.
The Iziko Good Hope Gallery at the Castle is open from Monday to
Sunday, 10:00 to 16:00.
Safe parking is available in the grounds of the gallery.
For a copy of the catalogue and further information contact: Koulla
Xinisteris
Curator: SABC art collection
Mobile: (082) 574 5568
return to press release page>> |
