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Women’s Work: crafting stories, subverting narratives

WOMEN’S WORK:  Crafting stories, subverting narratives showcases the innovation demonstrated by a diverse group of contemporary South African artists and artisans, who utilize and transform techniques such as knitting, crocheting, embroidery, quilting and beadwork to create works that blur the boundaries between art and craft. This exhibition includes historical works from Iziko’s Social History Collection and Grooteschuur Estate. The works explore intimate and personal narratives: the effects of colonial histories and trauma on the body; issues of identity and its relation to land; religion and sexuality, as well as gendered power relations.

WOMEN’S WORK aims to trace the development of ideas, themes and techniques explored by – both male and female – artists through contrasting past and present, and pushing and interrogating the boundaries of their chosen techniques. Perceptions of these practices are often securely gendered as women’s work. Artists showcased in the exhibition ask penetrating questions of the grand art historical narratives. Their work celebrates the often undervalued creativity of the artisan.

The exhibition draws on five major institutional collections including: Iziko Museums of South Africa’s Art and Social History Collections; the Art Collection of Parliament of the Republic of South Africa; Grooteschuur Estate Collection; Spier Collection; as well as numerous contributions from private collectors.

WOMEN’S WORK: Crafting stories, subverting narratives, an exhibition co-curated by Ernene White and Olga Speakes will run at the Iziko South African National Gallery until 30 April 2017

About The Casspir Project

The Casspir Project is an unprecedented and multifaceted undertaking from South African film director, Ralph Ziman. The work comprises installation, photography, oral history, and documentary. It debuts at the Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town, as part of the exhibition, Women’s Work: crafting stories, subverting narratives – an exploration of the historically gendered creative practices used by contemporary artists in South Africa

The Casspir Project charts the locus of the South African military vehicle’s legacy of institutional oppression — a legacy with which we are still reckoning. The central element of the project is one of reclamation. The restored and refitted Casspir vehicle, its surfaces fully covered in elaborate, brightly-colored panels of glass beadwork, arrayed in traditional patterns was completed by artisans from Zimbabwe and the Mpumalanga province of South Africa, including women of the Ndebele tribe, known for their craftsmanship

The project will be showcased, as part of the exhibition, at the Iziko South African National Gallery until February 28th, 2017. Thereafter, it will travel South Africa and tour the United States.

Watch: The Casspir Project #BeadsNotBullets

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Status:
Closed
Exhibition Type:
Past Exhibition
Museum:
Media Enquiries:

Zikhona Jafta
Tel: +27 (0)21 481 3862
Fax: +27 (0)21 461 9620
Switchboard: +27 (0) 21 481 3800
Email: mediaofficer@iziko.org.za

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Dear Visitors,

 

Please note that all Iziko Museums will be closed on Christmas Day, Wednesday, 25 December 2024 and

will reopen to the public on Thursday, 26 December 2024.

 

Additionally,  Iziko Bertram House and Iziko Koopmans De Wet will remain closed on Thursday,   

26 December 2024.

 

Wishing you peace and joy over the festive season.

 

Thank you

Iziko Management 

Dear Visitor

Please be advised that the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum will be closed on Thursday, 01 August 2024 due to a power maintenance affecting the entire area.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Iziko Management

Dear Visitor 

 

Iziko Museums’ Winter Operating Hours Update. 

 

Please be advised that the weekend(SAT and SUN) operating hours have been adjusted. 

The museums will open operate from 08h30 to 16h00 on weekends during winter.

 

Saturdays from 08h30 to 16h00

Iziko South African Museum and Planetarium, Iziko South African National Gallery, 

Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum and Iziko Slave Lodge. 

 

Sundays from 08h30 to 16h00

Iziko South African Museum and Planetarium and Iziko South African National Gallery. 

 

By order 

Iziko Management. 

 
Iziko South African National Gallery

Dear Visitors,

Please note that the Iziko South African National Gallery is closed to the public today, 18 December 2024, for maintenance.

It will reopen on Thursday, 19 December 2024

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Iziko Management