The UJ Art Gallery in collaboration with the MTN SA Foundation, is delighted to announce that the exhibition, re/connect/ing, will be featured at the upcoming 2024 Vrystaat Kunstefees from 2 – 6 July 2024.
The longstanding partnership between the UJ Art Gallery and the MTN SA Foundation resulted in the re/connect/ing exhibition in 2023, the fourth “conversation” between the MTN and UJ art collections.
This journey commenced with Shifting Conversations in 2017, followed by Continuing Conversations in 2018, and Conversing the Land in 2019. Each phase of this enduring partnership has not only presented exceptional artistic expressions but has also cultivated a deeper comprehension of the evolving narratives within South Africa’s cultural landscape.
As anticipation builds for this year’s Kunstefees, Dineke Orton, curator of the UJ Art Gallery shares her excitement for this showcase: “We are delighted to bring this exhibition to audiences at the Vrystaat Kunstefees. re/connect/ing includes exceptional artworks from both the MTN and UJ collections and focuses on exploring connections and conversations between the two collections”.
Vrystaat Kunstefees audiences can expect an exhibition that draws on visually compelling imagery, introducing them to a juxtaposition of thought provoking works from South African pioneers such as Christo Coetzee, Gerard Bhenghu, Walter Battiss, Gabisile Nkosi, and many more, produced during multiple art movements and periods within our history.
An educational component will also be offered at the exhibition, seeking to inform audiences about the rich history of the art. Furthermore, the exhibition ultimately seeks to “reconnect” viewers back to the arts in a world that has seen an increase in digital technology post COVID-19.
For more information, contact UJ Art Gallery Curator, Dr Dineke Orton at dorton@uj.ac.za
About UJ Art Gallery
Nestled at the heart of the University of Johannesburg’s Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, the UJ Art Gallery has been a dynamic platform for showcasing emerging and established artists for over three decades. With a mission centred on promoting artistic expression, fostering critical engagement with contemporary art, and nurturing Johannesburg’s arts ecosystem, the gallery’s permanent collection of over 2,000 diverse artworks reflects South African vibrancy. Through curated exhibitions, educational programs, and public events, the UJ Art gallery cultivates a space for dialogue, reflection, and inspiration.
About MTN South Africa
Launched in 1994, MTN South Africa is a subsidiary of MTN Group, a leading emerging market operator with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers. We are inspired by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of modern connected life. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code ‘MTN’. Our strategy is Ambition 2025: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.