Published by The Museum of Modern Art, Oxford, 1990 , softcover, illustrated, 94 pages, condition: very good,
The 1990 exhibition titled "Art from South Africa" was held at the Museum of Modern Art, Oxford (now Modern Art Oxford) from June 17 to September 23, 1990. It was a significant, yet controversial, exhibition organized in association with the Zabalaza Festival, London, and aimed to showcase a non-racial selection of South African art during a period of intense political change and cultural isolation.
The exhibition was curated by David Elliott and co-curated by David Koloane. A 95-page catalogue was published in conjunction with the exhibition, this catalogue, featuring essays by prominent figures and artists such as Albie Sachs, David Elliott, Kendell Geers, Gavin Younge, David Koloane, and Stephen Sack, which addressed ongoing debates about the role of art in the political struggle, "people's culture", and cultural identity in South Africa. After its run in Oxford, the exhibition toured to several other UK venues, including the Mead Gallery in Warwick, Aberdeen City Art Gallery, the Royal Festival Hall in London, Bolton Art Gallery, and the City Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke on Trent. The exhibition "kicked up a dust storm of controversy" even before it opened, as it brought to a new stage debates that had been raging within South Africa regarding "art as propaganda" versus artistic freedom, and how South African art should be represented internationally during the apartheid era.
The exhibition featured a diverse range of artistic practices and media, including urban and rural subject matter, wire toys, graphic arts, sculptures, and paintings, by both established and emerging artists.
Johannes Fanozi Mkize ("Chickenman"): A sculpture titled Porcupine (c. 1988).
Vuyile Cameron Voyiya: His prints were featured in the exhibition.
Sue Williamson: Her work was related to the themes and discussions in the catalogue.
Willie Bester: His Challenges Facing the New South Africa (1990) was among the works from that period.
Billy Mandindi.
Imvaba Artists' Group: Mentioned in the catalogue for their large posters.
The Visual Arts Group of the CWC.
Paul Sibisi.
Napho Makoena.
The catalogue also features discussions on art projects like the Thupelo Art Project and community initiatives like "people's parks".
