From left: Dr Daniel Mosako, Dr Paul Cooper, Sango Filita, Dr Gwen Miller, Tshegofatso Seoka, Prof Siyasanga Tyali, Reinhard Sonntag, Prof Nombeko Mpako, Fihliwe Ndala and Dr Bongani Mkhonza
The Unisa Art Gallery has opened its highly anticipated exhibition, "Thresholds of Knowledge", a bold, multidisciplinary showcase running from 18 September to 17 October 2025. The exhibition, curated by renowned academic and artist Prof Nombe Mpako, is housed in the Unisa Art Gallery on the ground floor of the university’s Kgorong Building.
In the days leading up to the opening, Mpako joined Unisa Radio in an interview simulcast on Tshwane TV to discuss the exhibition’s conceptual framework and artistic vision. She described "Thresholds of Knowledge" as an invitation for artists, students and the public to interrogate the boundaries of knowledge, both personal and collective, through immersive visual storytelling.
"This exhibition is about pushing the edges of what we think we know," said Mpako. "It brings together voices that speak to memory, identity and transformation."
The formal opening on Saturday 20 September, drew an enthusiastic crowd of artists, academics, students and art lovers from across Tshwane. The ceremony began with a warm welcome from Tshegofatso Seoka, resident Curator of the Unisa Art Gallery and nominee for the 2025 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) in the Curator category.
Prof Siyasanga Tyali, Director of the School of Arts in the College of Human Sciences, delivered a measured and thoughtful keynote address, underscoring the university’s commitment to supporting critical artistic expression.
Mpako then addressed the audience, expanding on the theme of thresholds: liminal spaces where knowledge can be questioned, constructed and reimagined. She encouraged guests to explore the gallery not as passive viewers but as participants in an ongoing intellectual and emotional dialogue.
The spotlight then turned to the artists: Sango Filita, Wadzanai Tirimboyi, Karabo Aphane and Reinhard Sontag, who stepped forward to be acknowledged by the audience. Their presence was a highlight of the event, which also featured a surprise address by doctor-designate Paul Cooper, whose impromptu remarks struck a chord with attendees and photographers alike.
Closing the ceremony, Dr Daniel Rankadi Mosako, Acting Chair of the Department of Art and Music, delivered a vote of thanks before guests were invited to enjoy a vibrant spring-themed brunch, symbolising renewal, growth and abundance.
"Thresholds of Knowledge" is a striking example of contemporary African art’s capacity to merge disciplines and disrupt traditional boundaries. The exhibition features a mix of installations, 2D works and cinematic presentations, each contributing to a broader narrative about memory, power and identity.
Upon entering the gallery, visitors encounter Sango Filita’s vivid figurative drawings that evoke historical memory with intense visual language. Karabo Aphane’s contribution, using a fragmented cinematic approach, immerses audiences in dynamic, multi-sensory environments that shift between clarity and ambiguity.
Wadzanai Tirimboyi and Reinhard Sontag each bring their own explorations of social, cultural and philosophical themes, ensuring that no two moments in the exhibition feel alike.
Together, these artists construct a collective inquiry into how knowledge is shaped, and how it can be unlearned or reimagined.
* By Khabo Maduna, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Human Sciences
Publish date: 2025-10-16 00:00:00.0