A poignant, yet inspiring, exhibition from the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (UP) will be on display at the Oliewenhuis Art Museum for the next few weeks.
Selected works from the Art Bank of South Africa’s (ArtbankSA) contemporary art collection will be showcased from 14 March to 5 May.
As South Africa gears for the 2024 general elections, the Great Expectations exhibition takes a moment to reflect on dreams and hopes held for a free and equal South Africa almost three decades ago. The exhibition is a thought-provoking and meaningful exploration of identity, society, the built environment, and the spirit of the times in the context of the country’s 30-year journey towards democracy.
The exhibition continues the conversation on the overall curatorial theme by way of visual art, exploring, heritage, the self, and the contemporary South Africa plunged into a reckoning around uncomfortable historic truths and reflecting on the future implications of the decisions made now with a special focus on the disconnect between expectations, reality, and the audacity to find hope.
Great Expectations was curated by the ArtbankSA’s project manager, Nonto Msomi. It features works by notable South African contemporary artists including Banele Khoza, Lithemba Mpambani, Luyanda Zindela, Mkhize Khulekani, Mothobi Mefane, Thando Mama, Zakhale Hlabisa, and Mellaney Roberts to list a few. The selected artist’s works make a monumental contribution in capturing the complex tapestry of experiences, aspirations, and challenges that have shaped the nation during its post-apartheid era.
While the ArtbankSA’s mandate is to purchase artworks from South African artists, particularly that of emerging artists to lease and sell the artworks to South African government departments, private companies, and private individuals, Msomi is tasked with establishing and developing the entity’s contemporary visual art collection.
Msomi has extensive experience in the art world, having worked as the assistant director at the William Humphreys Art Gallery (Whag) from 2020 to 2021, the visual arts coordinator, curator, and facilitator at the BAT Centre Trust (2017), lead for the Cultural Activities and Youth Programming for the International AIDS Conference (2016), and the regional coordinator of the Visual Arts Network of South Africa (VANSA) from 2013 to 2015.
The public is invited to join Oliewenhuis Art Museum for the opening of Great Expectations: Selected works from ArtbankSA Contemporary Art Collection at 19:00 today, 14 March. Entry is free and refreshments will be served.
The exhibition will be on view until Sunday, 5 May.
The museum is open to the public from Monday to Friday, operating from 08:00 to 17:00. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays the museum is open from 09:00 to 16:00. Admission is free, with secure parking available at R10 per car, payable in cash.
Wheelchair access is provided through a ramp at the main entrance, and there is also a lift available for access to the Permanent Collection display areas on the first floor.
