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Bruce Arnott tribute for posting on Iziko facebook page

24/07/2018

Professor Bruce Arnott (born 1938), who has just died in Cape Town, was a key figure in the history of the Iziko South African National Gallery and an influential sculptor who made an impression on generations of students at UCT’s Michaelis School of Fine Art. After obtaining a Fine Art degree there in 1960, he wrote a Masters dissertation on South African sculpture and joined the staff of the Iziko SA National Gallery in 1962, becoming Assistant Director in 1970. His impressive abilities as a curator and scholar were matched by his artistic prowess. He was a significant pioneer in the promotion and acquisition of traditional African art at the Gallery in those years. In 1969 he published a catalogue of the complete works of his mentor, the sculptor Lippy Lipshitz (1903-1980), followed by books on Claude Bouscharain and John Muafangejo.

In his own sculpture Arnott remained very much a ‘traditional’ modernist, focusing on essential forms, much like his hero Constantin Brancusi, modelling in clay, wax or plaster, and casting in bronze or lead. After a period of farming where he had been born in KwaZulu-Natal, he returned to Cape Town in 1977. It was at this time that he received his first major commission for a public sculpture in bronze, which was the ‘Sphinx’ outside the new Baxter Theatre in Cape Town. In 1978 he returned to lecture at the Michaelis School, where he mentored important young sculptors like Brett Murray and Kevin Brand. At this time he first received a major commission from the Iziko SA National Gallery for ‘Numinous Beast’ (pictured) a large, hieratic bronze sculpture that holds an iconic position on the forecourt of the Gallery to this day. This monumental work, which is rich in metaphor and mystery, was conceived as a melancholy memorial to the passing of the San peoples of the Drakensberg. The Gallery is proud to hold a number of other significant sculptures by him in its collections.

Iziko Museums of South Africa salutes the memory of a great South African sculptor, curator and mentor in the fine arts, and extends its deepest sympathies to his wife and family.

Professor Bruce Arnott, sculptor, mentor and scholar; born Highflats, Southern KwaZulu-Natal, 1938 – died Cape Town, 2018.

Hayden Proud

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Dear Visitors,

Please note that the Iziko South African Museum will close to the public at 14:00 on Thursday, 13 March 2025, in preparation for the The bicentenary of the South African Museum – a reflection on 200 years of ISAM’s existence.

Thank you for your consideration.

Looking forward to your future visits.

Iziko Management

Dear Visitors,

Please be advised that all Iziko Museums of South Africa sites will close at 13:00 on Monday, 10 March 2025, for a staff activation for the The bicentenary of the South African Museum – a reflection on 200 years of ISAM’s existence.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Iziko Management

Iziko South African National Gallery

Dear Visitor

Please be advised that the Iziko South African National Gallery, will open at 12:30 on Saturday, 22 February 2025.

We look forward to welcoming you to experience the exhibition:
Sue Williamson: There’s something I must tell you, a retrospective.

Regards
Iziko Museums of South Africa

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 Visitor

Please be advised that the Iziko South African National Gallery, will open at 12:30 on Saturday, 22 February 2025.

We look forward to welcoming you to experience the exhibition:
Sue Williamson: There’s something I must tell you, a retrospective.

Regards
Iziko Museums of South Africa