“I Never Liked it Here”:

06/09/2024

Revisiting Inter- Action by Manfred Zylla

coming soon to the Iziko South African National Gallery.

For media images and interview requests please contact: Zikhona Jafta via email on mediaofficer@iziko.org.za

Iziko Museums of South Africa is gearing up to launch the exhibition, I Never Liked it Here: Revisiting ‘Inter-Action’ by Manfred Zylla. The exhibition will open at the Iziko South African National Gallery (ISANG) on Heritage Day, Tuesday, 24 September 2024. The series consists of nine black and white crayon drawings that depict various stereotypes of apartheid such as security forces or government officials.

First shown in 1982, at the Community Arts Centre in Cape Town, Zylla encouraged viewers and artists to interact directly with the works themselves by writing and drawing on them. Zylla’s unusual approach turned the exhibition into a collaborative project that blurred the lines between artist, artwork, and audience – rendering viewers into doers, rather than passive observers.

Manfred Zylla, from the Inter-Action series, 1982, Crayon and collage on paper © Iziko Museums of South Africa

Inter-Action, an artistic response to the institutionalised racism and human rights abuses of the apartheid regime in South Africa, have not seen the light of day since it was donated to ISANG in the early 1990s. The artworks, which form part of the Iziko South African National Gallery Permanent Collection, will be undergoing paper conservation from 4 until 16 September 2024. A multi-disciplinary team from Memorist SA will undertake paper conservation treatment of the work. The process, highlighting preservation practices at Iziko, be showcased to the public during designated times, with updates and schedules shared through Iziko’s social media channels. Demonstrating its commitment to preserving cultural heritage, Iziko will bring a generally accepted behind-the-scenes practice into the public domain, thus making the paper conservation treatment part of the exhibition story.

Cuan Hahndiek (left) and Nadege Umba (middle) from Memorist assessing one of the Inter-Action works with Manfred Zylla (right) © Iziko Museums of South Africa/A. Lewis

Iziko Museums is committed to transforming its museums into vibrant spaces fostering active engagement and community interactions. Through thoughtful exhibitions and educational programmes Iziko aims to spark meaningful conversations, fostering dialogue on critical issues such as justice, freedom, dignity, and reconciliation.

Façade of the Iziko South African National Gallery, Government Avenue, Cape Town © Iziko Museums of South Africa/Andile Simayile

I Never Liked it Here: Revisiting ‘Inter-Action’ by Manfred Zylla offer a poignant reflection on South Africa’s apartheid era and its enduring impact, serving as a reminder of our complex and painful history. The exhibition remains remarkably relevant today – as we celebrate 30 years of democracy –

a powerful provocation for the perpetual necessity for activism and social change.

The exhibition will run at the Iziko South African National Gallery from 24 September 2024 until January 2025. The Iziko South African National Gallery is open Monday to Sunday from 09:00 until 17:00.

Entrance to Iziko South African National Gallery, Iziko Slave Lodge, Iziko South African Museum, Groot Constantia Manor House and the Castle of Good Hope will be *Free on Heritage Day, 24 September 2024 (only).

Free entry *Excludes the Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome. The following House Museums are closed on Heritage Day, Iziko Rust en Vreugd, Iziko Koopman’s de Wet and Iziko Bertram House.