To celebrate the Ichikowitz Heritage Art Collection’s partnership with the prestigious Constitution Hill, The Ichikowitz Family Foundation is delighted to reveal a special presentation featuring an important selection of pieces not yet seen by the public. The Ichikowitz Special Selection will run concurrently with its ART CROSSES BORDERS – CONVERSATIONS exhibit from 29 October to 15 November 2015 at Old Fort, Constitution Hill.
Following The Ichikowitz Family Foundation’s successful launch of the Heritage Art Collection in Alexandra, the tour to Constitution Hill represents the second in a series of exhibitions that continue to support Africa’s creative talent and positions art as a tool to fight xenophobia.
The Special Selection for Constitution Hill boasts a medley of mixed media, showcasing the depth and variety of highly regarded Southern African artists. Selected are eighteen signature pieces by acclaimed artists from different generations including pieces by Walter Battiss, Durant Sihlali, Erik Laubscher and Floyd Langa, all with individual contrasting perspectives of Southern African history. These dynamic elements contribute to an already charismatic exhibition punctuated by themes reflecting the complexities of South Africa’s transformation and with pieces in the Special Selection dating as far back as the 1950’s to present day.
The brainchild of the visionary Heritage Art Collection and founder of The Ichikowitz Family Foundation, Ivor Ichikowitz, comments on the significance of the exclusive addition to the exhibition at Constitution Hill:
“Constitution Hill is extraordinary in that it belongs to all South Africans, and so we are proud to offer this Special Selection from our Heritage Art Collection at this prestigious venue. We urge all to join us in celebrating our nation’s creativity as we continue to share the artistic treasures of our Collection over the coming years. In particular we look forward to developing friendships with inner-city audiences and provide platforms that continue to invest in developing the future for younger generations.”
The Ichikowitz Heritage Art Collection at Constitution Hill promotes dialogue between audiences and encourages people to engage with heritage through this dynamic experience that brings artists from Southern Africa to the inner-city of Joburg.
Entrance to the exhibition is free of charge.
ART CROSSES BORDERS-CONVERSATIONS
Old Fort, Constitution Hill Precinct
FAST FACTS
WHEN: Launch: 29 October at 6pm
FREE to Public and schools: 30 October to 15 November
WHERE: Old Fort, Constitution Hill Precinct
Joubert St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
ENTRANCE: Free of charge
ARTISTS: DAVID KOLOANE, NATHANIEL (NAT) MOKGOSI, WINSTON SAOLI, MOSES MASOKO, NDABUKO NTULI, DAVID CHINYAMA, JUNIOR FUNGAI, CASSIUS KHUMALO, SICELO KHUMALO, BILLY MOLOKENG, SICELO KHUMALO, THOMAS MASWANGELE, BILLY LENGWATI, BATSARAI MUSKWE, BRIAN KADZINGA, PRINCE MATSIKA, DANIEL MOATSHE, DANIEL MATSHIDISO, MIKE KHALI, BERTHOLD MOYO AND VIKA MJOKA
SPECIAL SELECTION ARTISTS: WALTER BATTISS, DURANT SIHLALI, ERIK LAUBSCHER, NICHOLAS TSHABANGU, BERTHOLD MOYO, PRINCE MATSIKA, STEPHEN MOKOENA, KEITH ZENDA, NATHANIEL MOKGOSI, DAVE ROBERTSON, NORMAN CATHERINE, HANNES HARRS, PETER HALL, PAULA LOUW
About the Ichikowitz Special Selection
Among the works are those by older generation artists Walter Battiss, mid generation artists Durant Sihlali and Erik Laubscher, and a younger Floyd Langa. All take on South Africa with different views of the country: Sihlali dealing with the raw realities of everyday life in a sober realistic style in modest watercolour. Coincidentally, works by Sihlali and Langa with their images of prisoners, acknowledge the history of Constitution Hill’s site as a prison under apartheid. Battiss’ Zook is a more personal work about his retreat into the imaginary world he created with Norman Catherine (also on show) of Fook Island of which he was king. They are fun and fantastic. Laubscher on the other hand is deadly serious in his oil of an antique boulder referencing the age of the land in a way that is atypical of his usual style.
About the Ichikowitz Family Foundation
Ivor Ichikowitz, well known as an industrialist and philanthropist with a passion for Africa, founded The Ichikowitz Family Foundation in 2010. His philanthropic work is based on intelligent giving, innovation, and capacity building to develop educational, environmental, and cultural programmes. The flagship pillar, the African Oral History Archive, promotes a new understanding of African modern history and uses various channels, such as film, music, and art to foster dialogue between people and our heritage. As one of the largest collections of its kind, its Heritage Art Collection is a ‘storyboard’ of modern Southern Africa and includes renowned African artists. By sharing this Collection with the nation, The Foundation provides a time capsule of our transformation for future generations.