The thought-provoking and poignant art exhibition, celebrating the country’s different shades of democracy, We, The Purple, is currently running its 2024 curatorial programme.
The exhibition forms part of a collaborative effort between the UNISA Art Gallery, Javett-UP and Pretoria Art Museum.
On view at the Javett-UP for the rest of 2024, We, The Purple exhibition can be viewed from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm, with the last admission being at 4pm.
“We, The Purple” serves as a provocation for audiences to immerse themselves in the exploration of the rich and incoherent tapestry of South Africa’s democratic evolution as the Ditsong Museum of Natural History and UP Museums commemorates 30 years of democracy, with a particular focus on the pivotal elections of 1994.
This immersive and reflective exhibition centres itself around Pretoria and through its varying shades of artistic expression from some of the country’s leading visual artists paints a vivid picture some of the central themes.
It also navigates SA’s nascent democracy while inviting audiences to engage with diverse perspectives and narratives.
We, The Purple as the title of the exhibition, draws inspiration from Pretoria’s moniker, the "Jacaranda City," an ode to its iconic Jacaranda trees lining the streets.
Some of the themes tackled and highlighted by this exhibition delve deeper into the city's historical and contemporary narratives, including pivotal moments such as the student led movement, #FeesMustFall and the 1956 Women’s March.
The title also, notably, pays homage to the poignant "purple rain protest" of September 1989, echoing the fervour of the anti-apartheid resistance.
The exhibition is guest curated by Johannesburg-based writer and curator Khumo Sebambo, who brings invaluable experience to the curatorial process. Her recent involvement includes collaborations with INSITE, San Diego, as well as contributions to exhibitions such as The Show is Over (2022) at South London Gallery and The 't' is Silent at Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens (2022), Belgium.
The exhibition features signature works from collections under the custodianship of the Javett-UP, including the Javett Family Collection, the Bongi Dhlomo Collection, and the South32 Collection. Some of these are works by iconic works by acclaimed artists such as Gerard Sekoto, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi, John Mohl, Marlene Dumas, Athi Patra-Ruga, and George Pemba.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of public programmes, including artist talks, panel discussions, and educational workshops, designed to foster dialogue and engagement around the themes it explores. This includes the Living School, a multifunctional forum that encourages active civil participation on issues raised by a curatorial project or a current political issue relevant to the socio-political climate.