Joining forces to explore common ground

STELLENBOSCH University (SU) and the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape have collaborated on the From the Vault art exhibition, which is showcasing the two institutions’ art collections built up over the past century.

The 130 artworks, spread over five rooms on three levels of the SU Museum, have never been seen together before.

According to curators Mike Mavura and Gcotyelwa Mashiqa, the exhibition is an important demonstration on how art can be used to create new dialogues and show people how much they have in common.

“In curating the exhibition, we had to reflect on the history of the two institutions and their position, values and politics, but more importantly how to use art from both collections to create a dialogue that transcends the past and maps a way for the future,” Mavura said.

Five other exhibitions will also take place until April 30 as part of the Triennale in Stellenbosch.

According to Khanyisile Mbongwa, chief curator of the Stellenbosch Triennale, all the exhibitions aim to highlight African creativity and to create new dialogues.

“Through the Triennale we bring work from the continent to the southernmost tip as an intersection of time – where the past, present and future are in dialogue.”

Rector and vice-chancellor at SU, Professor Wim de Villiers, said there was a renewal happening and a “meaningful

partnership” had transpired between SU and Fort Hare.

Speaking at the official launch of the From the Vault, De Villiers said it would have been easy to focus on the differences of the two universities, but instead the art exhibition “sought out the connections” and allowed the two universities to explore what they had in common.

“Our art collections built up over the decades reflect our different journeys. So, it would have been easy to do the obvious and focus on our differences. But the curators avoided that trap. Instead, they blurred the lines that divide, sought out the connections, and made us see that together, we are better.”

Fort Hare vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu said the exhibition had come about as a way for two of Africa’s grand old universities to link their centenaries. Fort Hare turned 100 in 2016, and SU in 2018.

“Art is doing what many feared to do in the past – bringing us together, putting us in dialogue with each other,” he said.

“Our art collections reflect our different journeys Wim de Villiers Rector, SU