(Taking part in the silent
sunset vigil for Woman’s Day are: closest
to railing going up: Shamilla Pather, Nisika Gumede, Jenny Stretton and Mduduzi
Xakaza. Middle row: Tholakele Mdakane, Coral Bijoux and Sakhile Gumede. Closest
to camera: Mathabo Kunene and Gary van Wyk)
The
newly-invigorated Durban Art Gallery, in the Durban City Hall, is hosting Conversations We Do Not Have: Acquiescence –a
collaborative exhibition to acknowledge Women’s month and uses as a starting
point the beautiful narrative artwork panels currently being archived at the
Phansi Museum which will form the core focus of the Amazwi Voices of Women
Museum.
“The notion of Acquiescence is at the very heart of the
exhibition. It looks at issues of dignity, identity, healing and respect and
references our past and in particular why we commemorate August 9,” explains
curator Coral Bijoux. “We are hopeful that the exhibition has real potential to
make a powerful statement about women.”
The exhibition uses
a selection of the 3,000 narrative panels. The panels are complemented by
artwork chosen from the DAG Permanent Collection to enrich the conversations in
different media across cultures and time.
Pieces selected from DAG include works by Virginia MacKenny;
Faiza Galdhari; Mamatakane Makara, Lola Frost; Stainbank; Isolde Krans; Jane
Alexander and Jules Triquet – with pieces spanning the spectrum from 19th
century oils-on-canvas to contemporary mixed media sculptures. Interspersed with the art will be examples
of iconic clothing items which are used to define women – such as Indian bridal
wear; beaded pieces; burkas and lace work.
A strong
educational component will accompany the exhibition – comprising workshops and
walkabouts. For the full educational programme, contact Witty Nyide on 031 311
2274 for enquiries/ bookings.
Across the road, the Playhouse Company is hosting a
companion exhibition with work which talks to a similar theme as part of their
Women’s Arts Festival.
The Amazwi-Voices of Women Museum will be based in the
Valley of a Thousand Hills. “The Amazwi vision not only focuses on conserving
women’s narratives and their accompanying artworks (there are about 3,000
currently), but to use these to create awareness, share and engage in discourse
on women, gender issues, hopefully changing back the ‘voicelessness’ to ‘voice’
of women who are still largely dispossessed in a contemporary society,
presented as democratic.
At the opening on
August 9 of Conversations We Do Not Have:
Acquiescence, guests gathered in front of the Durban City Hall at 18h00 to
light candles and to hold a silent vigil for five minutes, as a public show of
solidarity with the abused, marginalised and voiceless women across the world.
Situated on the second floor of the magnificent Durban City
Hall (entrance opposite the Playhouse), the Durban Art Gallery (DAG) is open seven days a week: Monday until
Saturday from 08h30 until 16h00, and Sunday from 11h00 until 16h00. Entry is
free and all are welcome! For more info, contact the Gallery on 031 311 2264 /
9 or Jabu.Mngwengwe@durban.gov.za (weekdays).
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