Images of Human Rights – African Steps window application

Based on a portfolio gifted through Justice Albie Sachs at the Durban Art Gallery, where the portfolio was first shown, on 10 December 1996 (International Human Rights Day)

The Images of Human Rights portfolio, consisting of 29 prints by 27 South African artists across the country’s provinces, depicts artistic impressions of the 27 fundamental Bill of Rights listed in the Constitution of South Africa, including a front and back cover. These images make known in an accessible way the rights that are to be upheld and enforced by the Constitutional Court. The artworks do not belong to any particular artistic style, educational tradition or cultural background, but are a product born of South Africa’s diversity.

The making of the portfolio, of which a full printed set is contained in the CCAC, was a collective effort. Coral Vinson, Terry-Anne Stevenson, and master printmaker Jan Jordaan conceived the portfolio project, while various South African museums and galleries nominated artists from their respective regions to participate. The project was also supported by volunteers drawn from human rights and art-related organisations.

The intent behind the publishing of the portfolio –in the year the Constitution was adopted–was to advance human rights education while raising awareness of South Africa's artistic talent abroad.

The constitutional provision each image represents is included in text on the physical panels, while here the titles the artists gave to their artworks are listed.

A vinyl application of the portfolio was done around 2004, but had deteriorated. In March 2023, the vinyl was replaced with sandblasting as it is better suited to withstand the outside elements.