South Africa’s Iziko Re-Opens with New Exhibition

After being closed to the public since 1 March 2010, the Iziko South African National Gallery re-opened its door on Thursday, April 15th.

The much anticipated exhibition, 1910-2010: From Pierneef to Gugulective, will offer a fresh look at a century of South African art, curated by Riason Naidoo, Director of Arts Collections at Iziko.

The exhibition “1910-2010: From Pierneef to Gugulective,” curated by Riason Naidoo, newly appointed Director of Arts Collections at Iziko, provides insight into the soul of our nation, spanning the length and breadth of this country, from the hilltops near the Union Buildings to the townships of Cape Town. The exhibition showcases the history and diversity of modern and contemporary South African art, from the formation of the Union of South Africa a century ago, to the present.

It starts with the period under British colonialism - when the idea of a modern South African state had parallel developments in the art world - which began to articulate a unique identity in relation to the rest of the world.

The exhibition has two primary aims: to show the Gallery’s permanent collection as well as a reflective selection of art from around the country. While the exhibition aims to showcase prominent artists and art works, many of the loans also offer exposure of some less known artists and pieces. It simultaneously endeavours to reflect on important moments in South African history during the last century.

Audiences can look forward to modern gems and rare treasures by Gerard Sekoto, Irma Stern, George Pemba, Maggie Laubser, Gerard Bhengu, Durant Sihlali, Dumile Feni and Jane Alexander’s Butcher Boys. The exhibition acknowledges important developments in local art history such as Polly Street, Rorke’s Drift, DRUM Magazine, Resistance Art, and the rise of South Africa’s energetic contemporary art scene with contemporary pieces by artists such as Nandipha Mntambo, Stuart Bird and Nicholas Hlobo.

While reflecting on art from around the country over this period, it is also important that we take cognisance of the dangers of nationalism. One of the most traumatic events since the new democracy came into being has been the sporadic xenophobic attacks in 2008, which left many bodies in its wake and thousands mentally scarred. With this in mind, we have also included the exhibition US, curated by Bettina Malcomess and Simon Njami. Artists such as Justin Brett, Frances Goodman and Donna Kukama are some of the featured young artists that give expression to this issue, which allows the overall exhibition to include a whole new generation of emerging artists and bring the making of art in this country over the last century full circle.

1910-2010: From Pierneef to Gugulective is a must-see exhibition which coincides with the expression of a new vision for the National Gallery under director, Riason Naidoo. “The new vision - one that is more inclusive of the audiences we appeal to, more critical in the selection of our exhibitions and in the work that we acquire for our collections, more diverse in the people that make up our committees and in the staff that we hire and more inclusive on a national level – will facilitate and enhance the representation and relevance of the gallery as well as putting it at the forefront of change,” says Naidoo.