(“The
Black Christ”, Ronald Harrison, oil on canvas, 1962)
Eight Ronald Harrison paintings are
currently on exhibition at the Luthuli Museum in Groutville having been donated
to the organization by well-known businessman and Edison Power chairman, Vivian
Reddy.
Named The
Spirit of Chief Albert Luthuli series, the painter Ronald Harrison is best
known for his controversial work entitled ‘The
Black Christ’. Produced in 1962, the painting depicts Chief Albert Luthuli,
African National Congress president general at the time, as Jesus Christ
crucified, flanked by two Roman centurions, then National Party Prime Minister
Hendrik Verwoerd and justice minister John Vorster.
As a result, Harrison was arrested and
tortured by the security police. The painting was smuggled to the United
Kingdom after it was banned in South Africa, and was only returned in 1997. It
hangs in the South African national gallery.
Harrison painted The Spirit of Chief Albert Luthuli series during the years 2005 to
2007, each one signed and dedicated to a personal friend and family member,
including one to the daughter of Chief Albert Luthuli – Dr Albertinah Luthuli -
whom he approached for assistance.
Through a series of events, Dr Luthuli then
helped to negotiate the purchase by ANC benefactor, businessman and patron of
the arts Vivian Reddy.
At the official handover of the paintings
to the Luthuli Museum, Reddy called on other black businessmen to reach out to
the arts and support artists of this country. He said he was happy that the
paintings had been brought back to their real home at the Museum.
Speaking about her relationship with Ronald
Harrison, Dr Luthuli said the artist had shared with her his inspiration after
the 1994 elections. ‘The series looks forward to a new dawn and a future
without hatred and brutality,’ she said.
Harrison died of a heart-attack on June 28,
2011, at his niece’s house in Mitchell's Plain. A replica of The Black Christ is on display at the
offices of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Members of the public and the media are
invited to view the paintings on show at the Luthuli Museum 3233 Nokukhanya
Luthuli Street in Groutville. For opening times visit www.luthulimuseum.org.za
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