Ampersand Foundation 21 Years Celebration Exhibition

The UJ Art Gallery will be abuzz when the Ampersand Foundation Award 21 years celebration exhibition opens on 11 September 2019. This extensive show, curated by Gordon Froud, senior lecturer at FADA (UJ) is set to shine a light on the depth of South Africa’s artistic talent and includes works by numerous Ampersand Fellows like Diane Victor, Paul Emmanuel, Gabrielle Goliath, Mbongeni Buthelezi, Penny Siopis, Nicholas Hlobo, Senzeni Marasela, Stephen Hobbes, Alan Laing and Heidi Fourie .

The Ampersand Foundation has had an immense impact on the country’s fine art landscape over the last 21 years by affording visual arts practitioners exposure to the wider international arts landscape of New York.

“Ampersand has sent more than 300 artists to this city and the exhibition pays tribute to the 21st anniversary of the Foundation. This will only be the third time works by Ampersand Fellows are exhibited all together. I curated the fifth Anniversary exhibition at the Civic Gallery in Braamfontein and Warren Siebrits the tenth anniversary show at his gallery. I felt it was time to recognise all the effort of Jack Ginsberg and the Ampersand Foundation in promoting visual arts in South Africa”, says Froud, himself an Ampersand Fellow from 1997.

Froud has taken on the mammoth task of bringing these artists together from all over the country. In curating the exhibition, he did not set a theme or required that the artists use work completed or inspired by their New York visit. Except for size restraints, given the number of artists exhibiting, Froud has invited free expression and he looks forward to finding the conversation that emerges between the various artworks submitted, as well as a lookback at where they have come since their Ampersand residency.

“I wanted to put on a really powerhouse exhibition that shows the depth of the South African art scene and bring all these artists, some very well known, some not so well known, into one space together.” The show features amongst others work from the first recipient, Paul Emmanuel (1997) to the latest – Kate Gottgens, Wayne Matthews and Alison Shaw.

“The UJ Art Gallery offers an ideal space for this fine art celebration, not only will this exhibition host twenty artists who have been affiliated with the University of Johannesburg but it also offers students an incredible opportunity to see work by more than hundred of South Africa’s top artists all in one space at one time”

The Ampersand Foundation is a non-profit charitable trust established in 1997 by art patron and chairman Jack Ginsberg and managed by a board of South African and American Trustees. This prestigious Award rewards excellence in the visual arts by granting an Ampersand Fellowship Award to professional South African contemporary visual arts practitioners of varying ages

The Award enables artists to visit New York and offers the recipient, designated an Ampersand Fellow, a funded/ semi-funded one or two-month residency at the Ampersand apartment situated in Tribeca in New York, two blocks from the site of the World Trade Centre. Ampersand Fellows have the opportunity to visit many great museums and galleries thereby benefiting career development

The Ampersand Foundation 21 Years Celebration Exhibition runs from 11 September to 9 October 2019. Gallery walkabouts will be conducted by the curator on Saturdays 22 and 29 September at 11 30 and Wednesday 25 September 2019 at 13 00.

Audience Responses
Unfortunately, my partner and I were unable to attend that evening, and therefore cannot comment.

Petrus • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
Can’t you sell beer for those who dislike wine?

Michelle • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
3.5
Great opening, thank you so much!

Tamar • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
5.0
I was hoping for more sculpture but many of the artworks really spoke to me.

Peter • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
4.5
A quality event, thanks!

Gerrit • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
5.0
I enjoyed the exhibition because it seeked to express the diverse landscape of South African Art, and this from my perspective was well achieved. I also appreciated how the Ampersand Foundation radiates with different artistic styles, it was truly a privilege to be in the same space as the creators of the artworks that I saw hanging on the uj gallery.

Lehlogonolo • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
5.0
It was interesting

Mankekolo • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
5.0
I was really impressed, pity I had to leave early. But impressive

Hlubi • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
5.0
Well curated and, as always, a pleasure to attend.

Pieter • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
5.0
Fantastic exhibition, extremely impressive work. Well done to all involved.

Lew • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
5.0
Wonderful variety of art work.

Anton • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
5.0
5 star event ! Loved the artworks and the crowd. Good snacks as well – well done to the team!

Adele • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
5.0
Lovely exhibition with so many top class artist

Mari • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
4.5
Wonderfully curated and hung exhibition. Food and snacks were delish too.

Diana • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
5.0
Fantastic evening! So well attended. Fabulous art work and a happy connections between fellow Ampersand recipients and the art world. Well done Gordon and such a great legacy for Jack and his amazing fellowship!

Susie • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
5.0
Always so well and professionally organised

Belia • Attended Sept. 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
5.0