Freedom

CCAC #: 0240
Artwork title: Freedom
Artist(s): Cecil Skotnes
Hamilton Budaza
Year made: 1995
Artwork type: Painting
Medium: Coloured engraved wood panels; Acrylic & varnish on wood
Dimensions (mm): 2535 x 2780
Source: Donated by the artists. First piece donated to form part of the CCAC.
Year acquired: 1995
Installation type: Movable artwork
Current location: On external loan
Exhibitions: Spring Is Rebellious: The Art & Life of Albie Sachs: 24 July 2025 - 23 August 2026
Signage:

Skotnes invited Budaza to collaborate on creating a tribute to democracy. The central panel by Skotnes shows a figure reaching for the sky; the birds, hands and faces by Budaza similarly heralds the new dawn in 1994. It is one of the CCAC's most confident, optimistic and commanding works, embracing and exuding the African renaissance.

Themes: Democratic South Africa
Rainbow Nation
Collective memory of contemporary South Africa
Cultural Heritage
Constitutional links: Human dignity - constitutional value (section 1a, section 10)
Equality - constitutional value (section 1a, section 9)
Freedom of expression (section 16)
Right to assembly, demonstration, picket and petition (section 17)
Right to freedom of association (section 18)
Language and culture rights (section 30)
Rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities (section 31)

CCAC 438936

Photographer: Ben Law-Viljoen
Photo copyright: Consult with CCT curatorial team

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NOTE: The process of photographing artworks in the CCAC is underway - we are currently working to improve image quality and display on the CMS but have included internal reference photos for identification purposes in the interim.