Unisa online - Finding messages and meaning through art

MTN SA Foundation’s “Messages and Meaning” exhibition, an ambitious body of artwork comprising more than 130 pieces from across South Africa and Africa, opened on Tuesday 13 March 2012 at the Unisa Art Gallery.

The exhibition includes contemporary artworks that will be new to most art lovers in Tshwane, such as the cutting-edge and avant-garde works by contemporary Angolan artist, Fernando Alvim, and older African pieces such as a Mami Wata mask from the Ivory Coast, as well as artworks from across Ghana, Nigeria and the Congo.

“We are proud to be able to bring this exhibition to South Africa and certainly this venture further reiterates MTN SA Foundation’s commitment to emerging artists, and to promoting Africa as a leading custodian of heritage in the art field,” says Angie Maloka, Acting General Manager of the MTN SA Foundation.

This national touring exhibition, which is believed to be one of the longest-running touring exhibitions in South Africa, has already toured to galleries in Durban, Bloemfontein, East London, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley, Alice and Polokwane.

The materials and techniques used by artists on the theme “Messages and Meaning” are diverse,  and include digital media, linocut printmaking, painting, metal, photography and beadwork. This range suggests the creative breadth of artists on the African continent. In addition, a number of Tshwane artists are also honoured on this travelling exhibition, namely, Motshile wa Nthodi, Abrie Fourie, and a collaborative woodblock and print by artists of the Badisha group: David Phoshoko, Thabo Mosiuoa, Godfrey Sekwala, Mike Mmutle and Danny Loate. The block and woodcut print “Sacrifice and the healing breeze” is expected to be a study opportunity for Tshwane art students.

“The MTN SA Foundation’s “Messages and Meaning” exhibition will be shown in Gauteng for the very first time, which will affirm the new Unisa Art Gallery space as one of artistic stimulation and social discourse. Our vision at the Unisa Art Gallery is to stage art exhibitions that go beyond our South African borders, thus fulfilling the Unisa’s vision of “Africanising our education experience,” says Bongani Mkhonza, Curator of the Unisa Art Gallery.

“In addition to the collection, many of MTN’s works are discussed in the sumptuously-illustrated book, Messages and meaning: the MTN art collection. This is an engrossing 308-page read edited by MTN’s art curator, Philippa Hobbs, which includes 13 essays on the MTN Art Collection by leading art writers. The book is available for sale at a reduced price at the Unisa Art Gallery, and proceeds will benefit its library and education programme. “The MTN SA Foundation is also distributing presentation copies of the book to Tshwane libraries and art organisations as part of the Foundation’s national roll-out of the entire edition as a gift to the nation,” adds Maloka.

Guides training and education workshops for the visual arts community are set to take place during the “Messages and Meaning” exhibition period, and walkabouts of the exhibition for school groups, art lovers, students and the public are also offered by appointment. Educators visiting the “Messages and Meaning” exhibition receive an issue of ArtTalk, which covers highlights of the exhibition, presenting the material in a form that educators can use. Additional learner material includes fun worksheets for on-site work.

The exhibition closes on 5 April 2012.

Click here for the “Messages and Meaning” exhibition invitation.