Natalie Knight lecture @ Origins Centre

[Origins Centre]

FRUITS OF THE LONG WALK TO FREEDOM

In tandem with the art exhibition, Mandela@94, celebrating our iconic
former President as he nears his 94th birthday, Origins Centre brings
you a lecture by the exhibition curator, Natalie Knight, entitled ‘The
Fruits of the Long Walk to Freedom’.

With reference to the artworks on show, Knight examines how Mandela’s
legacy is portrayed by the participating artists. She questions how
much of the euphoria of 1994 remains, and what fruit the almost
messianic achievements of Madiba have borne.

She states: “Cartoonist Zapiro has created a cartoon of Mandela as
Moses crossing the Red Sea. Do we have to wait 40 years before we see
the real fruits of Mandela’s endeavours?”

The title of Knight’s talk is drawn from a cynical sculpture by young
Shangaan artist Collen Maswanganyi, called ‘Fruits of Freedom’, which
looks at new restrictions in South African society.

The talk also delves into current topical debates, such as artistic
freedom, and should freedoms ever be curbed in favour of obligations
to others?

Natalie Knight is the Art Curator of Wits University’s West Campus art
collection. She was a forerunner in the promotion of contemporary
South African art through the Natalie Knight Gallery (1981-1995). She
has been a driving force in the research of the art of the Ndebele and
the Tsonga/Shangaan.

Date: Tuesday 10 July 2012
Venue: The Gallery
Time: 18h00 for 18h30
Cost: R45/R35 Wits students and Wits staff
Bookings: a...@origins.org.za

Please e-mail your request for seats to a...@origins.org.za. If you are
a Wits student or Wits staff member, please include your student/staff
number. We will then e-mail an invoice to you, which can be paid by
eft.