Group exhibition: Arte Povera and South African Innovations at Wits Art Museum

Name: Group exhibition: Arte Povera and South African Innovations at Wits Art Museum
Start: 2023-10-31
End: 2023-12-09
Location: Wits Art Museum (WAM)

Oct 31 - Dec 9 2023 Cnr Jan Smuts Ave and Jorissen St, Braamfontein

Installation view of 'Arte Povera and South African Art: In Conversation' at WAM. Photo: Consulate General of Italy in Johannesburg.

One of the most significant avant-garde movements to come out of Italy, Arte Povera traversed the late 1960s to early 1970s and was defined as such by curator Germano Celant in 1967. These young Italian artists were set apart by their uncustomary practice and process; using throwaway materials such as soil, rags and twigs to create their work. While it directly translates to "impoverished art", the Arte Povera movement was categorised by artists working outside of traditional constraints.

For the first time, Arte Povera artworks will be shown on the African continent at Wits Art Museum (WAM) from Tue, Oct 31 in Arte Povera and South African Art: In Conversation. The artistic conversation is twofold: one component is the exhibition Arte Povera 1967-1971, curated by Italian curator Ilaria Bernardi, while the other is South African Innovations, 1980s-2020s, curated by South African curator Thembinkosi Goniwe.

The Arte Povera exhibition showcases historial works by 13 artists who are now considered as canonical representatives of the movement. They include Giovanni Anselmo, Pier Paolo Calzolari, Marisa Merz and Gilberto Zorio. South African Innovations features 13 South African artists working experimentally and improvisationally and, as such, whose practices intersect with international movements like Arte Povera. They include Jane Alexander, Moshekwa Langa, Kemang Wa Lehulere and Senzeni Marasela.

GET THERE WITH GAUTRAIN

Wits Art Museum is a short drive from the Park Station Gautrain Station. See our guide to the Gautrain here and download the Gautrain app for real-time updates on when the next Gautrain and Gautrain midi-bus is due. Visit www.gautrain.co.za for more information on the timetable and fares. #YourGautrainJourneyStartsHere