The Red in the Rainbow exhibition invites the visitor to experience the lives of a family of activists and make up their own mind about what the journey means for them.
The story of the Carneson family is one of thousands, as courageous and idealistic people from all ethnic backgrounds joined together to fight oppression and racism during apartheid. This included people from minority backgrounds as well as the majority of the black population. By the time of the first democratic elections, South Africa was an inspiration to the world. Red in the Rainbow provides a vivid and compelling story of courage and perseverance over decades of apartheid. The Carnesons survived banning, house arrest, arrests, torture, imprisonment, hardship, separation and exile before reuniting and returning to South Africa. It is a testimony to the endurance of the human spirit and proof that even in tough times it is possible to create a better life for all.
The exhibition was based on a book of the same name by Lynn Carneson, who created and curated Red in the Rainbow. The exhibition speaks in different ways to people of all ages from eight to 80.
The exhibition has been shown five times in different parts of South Africa, attracting many visitors. Red in the Rainbow now has a permanent home on the first floor of the Slave Lodge in Cape Town, having opened on 1 April 2021.
‘It would have been impossible to sustain an environment of non-racism in South Africa today if there had not been people like Fred and Sarah who visibly opposed apartheid, who actually lived non-racism and who were persecuted for their pains. It says a great deal about tenacity, perseverance and just plain guts. That was some legacy.’ – Z Pallo Jordan, Struggle veteran
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