By Department of Arts and Culture

Attention:      News Editors and Journalists

Arts and Culture Minister, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, in partnership with the National Museum, Bloemfontein is proud to announce the launch exhibition of the National Art Bank under the theme: “Emerging Visions: Telling the South African Story”.  The launch will take place at 9:00 on Tuesday, 12 December 2017 at Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein in Free State Province.

The National Art Bank seeks to identify, procure and curate contemporary visual art works from emerging and established South African artists. Such art works will be leased to targeted organisations, particularly South African government bodies, institutions, parastatals, private sectors, South African embassies internationally, etc. The Programme will further contribute to audience development and consumption of South African art.

The launch exhibition is the culmination of a year-long process of research with emerging artists, and features work by Audrey Anderson, Richard Bollers, Ilené Bothma, Bevan de Wet, Sandile Goje, Sifiso Gumede, Sipho Gwala, Alexandra Karakashian, Banele Khoza, Lonwabo Kilani, Asanda Kupa, Azael Langa, Dale Lawrence, Lizza Littlewort, Sthenjwa Luthuli, Phillip Mabote, Shenaz Mahomed, Amita Makan, Cyzo Matladi, Joel Matladi, Franli Meintjes, John Vusi Mfupi, Manyatsa Monyamane, Makamatele Robert Moramaga, Mashudu Nevhutalu, André Rose, Leanne Shakenovsky, Klas Thibeletsa, Jan Tshikhuthula, Jeanette Unite, Wessel van Huyssteen, Clara Victor and Sthembiso Zwane.

The National Art Bank also forms part of a series of many programmes under the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) strategy which promotes job creation and seeks to increase the contribution of arts and culture to sustainable economic development.

The exhibition will run from Tuesday, 12 December 2017 to Sunday, 28 January 2018 at Oliewenhuis Art Museum

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Venue:           Oliewenhuis Art Museum, 16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein in Free State Province

Date:              12 December 2017

Time:             09h00

RSVP: Madimetja Moleba 072 842 6594 or email: madimetjam@dac.gov.za Enquiries: Please contact Zimasa Velaphi on 072 172 8925 / zimasav@dac.gov.za or Ester le Roux on 051 011 0525 ext 200; oliewen@nasmus.co.za