TSWB Catalogue

The South African Pavilion
THE STRONGER
WE BECOME
ARTS AND CULTURE MINISTER’S FOREWORD
Mr Nathi Mthethwa
South Africa’s glorious and colourful history with
the Venice Art Biennale has once again brought
the country’s rich visual art heritage to the fore at
the 58th Venice Art Biennale organized by La Biennale di
Venezia and presided by Paolo Baratta.
Hosted every other year, in Arsenale, Venice, the
exhibition which opened on 11 May continues until 24
November 2019.
The International Art Exhibition sometimes referred - to as
the “Art Olympics” has become an important part of our
national cultural calendar, along with that of the world.
This is why our presence as a youthful democratic
country and our showing at the exhibition through the
South African Pavilion is central to our national strategic
vision of nurturing and growing the visual arts industry.
As the Department of Arts and Culture, we see visual arts
as one of the key drivers of economic growth, through
the promotion of our artists as well as in building
international relations and stimulating cultural tourism.
South Africa is indeed a country of talented visual artists
whose artistic endeavors have always been world class.
Even during the dark days of apartheid our artists have
fashioned themselves as world leaders, if not
world-beaters.
It was precisely in 1950 that South Africa made its debut at the 25th Venice Biennale, exhibiting in the foreign halls and
public gardens of the Biennale. Some of the first artists to represent the country in the 50s and 60s include Stern and
Walter Battiss, Alexis Preller, Maud Sumner, Sydney Kumalo and Maurice van Essche. However, between the 70s right
through to the early 90s, and due to international sanctions against apartheid policies, our artists could not continue to
showcase in Venice. The country re-emerged in 1993 and 1995, just a year before and after the first general elections in
1994.
South Africa returned to the Biennale from 2011 led by the Department of Arts and Culture, which undertook the
responsibility and ownership of the country’s participation at the Bienalle. The 2011 exhibition featured works of artists
such as Mary Sibande, Siemon Allen and Lyndi Sales at the Torre di Porta Nuova presented by Gallery MOMO.
This was followed by the works curated by Brenton Maart who showcased the splendid works of artists, Johannes
Phokela, Wim Botha, and the Centre for Historical Re-enactments, David Koloane, Live Art Collective, George Mahashe,
Santu Mofokeng, Sam Nhlengethwa, Cameron Platter, Andrew Putter, Penny Siopis, Sue Williamson, under the title:
Imaginary Fact: Contemporary South African Art and the Archive.
In 2015, the South Africa was represented by world renowned group of artists among them; Jeremy Wafer, Willem
Boshoff, Brett Murray, Mohau Modisakeng, Robin Rhode, Nandipha Mntambo, Warrick Sony, Diane Victor, Gerald
Machona, Serge Alain Nitegeka, Jo Ratctliffe, Mark Lewis, Angus Gibson, Haroon Gunn-Salie, and the presentation of the
iconic Rivonia Treason Trial 1964 sound recordings. The showcase titled: What Remains is Tomorrow was designed by
curators Jeremy Rose, and Christopher Till and explored iterations of power, freedom and civil liberties.
The South African Pavilion
THE STRONGER
WE BECOME
arts & culture
Department:
Arts and Culture
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
03