The relationship between WAM and the Standard Bank Collection was started in 1979 when the bank supported Wits University's goal to build an African art collection. The title of the exhibition; Seen, Heard and Valued, comes from Texas storyteller Brene Brown who describes the connection and energy people feel when they are seen, heard, and valued.
On show is an array of artworks collected from countries across Africa including South Africa, Ghana, eSwatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe to name just a few. In particular the exhibition highlights African craftsmanship and traditional arts with an abundance of fascinating pieces of cultural signficance. The upper level of the museum is where you will find all the more traditional objects such as pots, baskets, clothing and body adornments as well as headrests from an array of different ethnic groups.
Pride of place goes to some impressive large-scale works such as sculptor Jackson Hlungwani's Women’s Altar of God, a series of altarpieces from the top of a hill at Mbhokota village in Limpopo and the gloriously intricate and colourful Democracy Tapestry from the Keiskamma Art Project which speaks of the improvements to the standard of living in South African since 1994.
The museum is open from 10:00-16:00 (closed Sun, Mon) and visits should be booked in advance by calling +27 11 717 1358 or +27 11 717 1365 or email info.wam@wits.ac.za.
Sat Sep 18 at 12:00 Join WAM's Senior Curator Julia Charlton for a walkabout of the exhibition.
