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Johannesburg Art Gallery Closed Due to Leaky Roof, to Reopen with Contemporary African Focus

by Kim
written by Kim

Johannesburg Art Gallery Temporarily Closes Due to Leaky Roof

Infrastructure Issues Plague Historic Gallery

The Johannesburg Art Gallery, a renowned institution housing over 9,000 artworks from around the world, has been forced to temporarily close its doors due to a persistent roof leak that has plagued the building since 1989.

Recent heavy rains have exacerbated the situation, causing extensive water damage and posing a safety hazard to staff and visitors. As a result, the gallery’s management has made the difficult decision to close the facility until repairs can be completed.

Water Damage and Art Preservation

The leak has caused significant damage to the gallery’s infrastructure, including water stains on walls and ceilings. Gallery staff have been forced to remove artworks from the walls and store them in safer locations to protect them from further damage.

The gallery’s collection includes works by renowned artists such as Gerard Sekoto, Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef, and Walter Battiss. The closure has raised concerns about the preservation of these valuable artworks, which are an important part of South Africa’s cultural heritage.

Neglect and Theft Contribute to Infrastructure Woes

According to city councilor Nonhlanhla Sifumba, the gallery’s infrastructure issues are not solely due to the roof leak. Over the years, copper sheeting has been stolen from the structure, further weakening its integrity.

Sifumba has blamed the previous administration for neglecting the gallery’s maintenance, despite millions of rand being allocated for this purpose prior to its 2015 centenary celebrations.

Contemporary African Focus in Renovation

While the closure is a setback for art enthusiasts, the gallery’s management is using the opportunity to give the institution a more contemporary African focus. When the gallery reopens, it will feature a greater emphasis on African art and artists.

This move is in line with the gallery’s mission to promote and celebrate African art and culture. It is hoped that the renovation will attract a wider audience and make the gallery more relevant to the local community.

Mozambican Artist to Feature in Reopening Exhibition

The gallery is planning to partially reopen in May with an exhibition by Mozambican artist Ângela Ferreira. Ferreira’s work explores themes of identity, memory, and the African diaspora.

Her exhibition will be a fitting way to mark the gallery’s reopening and its renewed commitment to showcasing contemporary African art.

Safety and Maintenance Concerns

The Johannesburg Art Gallery is an important cultural landmark and a valuable asset to the city. The closure highlights the need for ongoing maintenance and investment to ensure the safety and preservation of its valuable collection.

The gallery’s management has expressed hope that the repairs will be completed soon and that the gallery can reopen its doors to the public once again.

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African Art

African Art: A Journey Through History and Culture

by Zuzana
written by Zuzana

African Art: A Journey Through History and Culture

The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection

The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection is a magnificent assemblage of 525 pieces that span five centuries and represent some 75 peoples and 20 countries. It is now housed in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art (NMAfA), thanks to a generous gift from the Walt Disney Company.

The collection includes a wide range of African art forms, from traditional masks and sculptures to contemporary paintings and textiles. It is particularly strong in works from the Benin Kingdom of Nigeria, the Edo peoples of Nigeria, and the Kota peoples of Gabon.

The Tishmans: A Passion for African Art

The collection was assembled over a period of 25 years by real estate developer Paul Tishman and his wife, Ruth. The Tishmans were passionate about African art and believed that it should be accessible to the public. They sold their collection to the Walt Disney Company in 1984 with the hope that it would be displayed in a permanent exhibition space at Walt Disney World.

While that dream never came to fruition, Disney continually lent pieces from the collection for exhibitions and publications. When the company decided to pass the collection on, it chose the Smithsonian Institution, which is committed to making African art available to visitors from all over the world.

African Art in the Smithsonian

The NMAfA is the only museum in America dedicated to the collecting, conservation, study, and exhibition of traditional and contemporary African art. The Disney-Tishman collection is a major addition to the museum’s holdings and will be used to enhance exhibitions, educational programs, and research.

The museum is particularly interested in the collection’s potential to inspire new generations of artists and scholars. As NMAfA director Sharon Patton has said, the collection’s “coming out party” is an opportunity to celebrate the rich legacy of African art and its continued relevance in the 21st century.

The Importance of African Art

African art has played a significant role in the development of modern art. Artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse were inspired by African masks and sculptures. The Disney-Tishman collection includes several works that were exhibited at the Louvre in the early 20th century, helping to introduce African art to a wider audience.

African art is also important for its historical and cultural significance. The collection includes objects that were used in religious ceremonies, political rituals, and everyday life. These objects provide valuable insights into the lives and beliefs of African peoples.

Conclusion

The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection is a priceless treasure that belongs to all Americans. It is a testament to the beauty and diversity of African art and its enduring importance in the world today.

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African Art

Envisioning a Transformed Africa: The Art of Toyin Ojih Odutola

by Kim
written by Kim

Imagining a Different History for Africa Through Art

Acclaimed artist Toyin Ojih Odutola invites us to envision a world where Africa’s history unfolded differently. In her new book, The UmuEze Amara Clan and the House of Obafemi, she paints a vivid portrait of two fictional noble families living in a Nigeria untouched by the devastation of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, European colonialism, or the persecution of homosexuality.

A World Reimagined

Ojih Odutola’s alternative history presents a stark contrast to the Nigeria she knows. Her aristocratic families, joined by the marriage of two sons, live in opulence and privilege, taking their wealth and status for granted. This idyllic existence stands in stark contrast to the realities of contemporary Nigeria, where economic inequality and social injustice are rampant.

The Power of Speculation

Ojih Odutola believes that art has the power to inspire us to imagine a better future. By presenting us with a world that might have been, she challenges us to question the inevitability of the past and to envision a more just and equitable society.

“The speculative can be a bridge,” she says. “It can help us to imagine new possibilities and to break free from the constraints of the present.”

The Art of Emancipation

Ojih Odutola’s art is not merely a depiction of an alternative history; it is an act of emancipation. By creating a world where Africa’s potential has been realized, she liberates us from the limitations imposed by the past and empowers us to dream of a brighter future.

The UmuEze Amara Clan

At the heart of Ojih Odutola’s imagined history lies the UmuEze Amara Clan, one of the oldest and most respected noble families in Nigeria. The clan’s patriarch, Obafemi, is a wise and benevolent ruler who has guided his people through centuries of peace and prosperity.

Obafemi’s wife, Ebele, is a renowned artist and poet. Her work celebrates the beauty and diversity of African culture and has inspired countless young artists.

The House of Obafemi

The House of Obafemi is another prominent noble family in Ojih Odutola’s alternative history. The family’s patriarch, Adebayo, is a wealthy merchant who has used his fortune to support the arts and education.

Adebayo’s wife, Ayo, is a skilled diplomat who has played a key role in forging alliances between the UmuEze Amara Clan and other powerful families in Nigeria.

A Legacy of Inspiration

Toyin Ojih Odutola’s art is a powerful reminder that history is not set in stone. By imagining a different past, she inspires us to dream of a better future and to work towards making that dream a reality.

Her work is a testament to the power of art to challenge our assumptions, to spark our imaginations, and to empower us to create a more just and equitable world.

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