Travelling exhibition

The Festival will take place from 20 – 30 June 2024.

A LUTA CONTINUA: Reflecting on 30 years of democracy through the Constitutional Court Art Collection

Taking its title from the Thomas Mulcaire 2003 light artwork, now permanently installed in the Constitutional Court’s foyer, this CCAC exhibition explores the interconnectedness of art and justice, human rights and democracy, at this key moment in South Africa’s history and future.

The CCAC is a unique collection with an unusual history symbolised by what Justice Albie Sachs calls ‘an intense longing for human justice’. Arguably, there is no other art collection in post-apartheid South Africa that more evocatively captures the spirit of a nation moving from racist oppression to realising a progressive constitutional democracy. Like the Constitution of South Africa that was signed into law in 1996, the CCAC is, in many ways, emblematic of the country’s aspirations for human rights, liberty and dignity for all within a constitutional democracy.

Shortly after democracy came to South Africa and the Constitution came into effect thereafter, artists donated the artworks to celebrate the birth of a new era. They did so with overwhelming generosity, in the spirit of the Constitution. Under the spirited guidance of Justices Yvonne Mokgoro and Albie Sachs, the architects, and various artists working with them created the court building, now recognised as uniquely blending themes of justice with contemporary architecture, integrated art and adornment.

Today the Constitutional Court, a landmark building with heritage status, together with the publicly accessible art collection it both embodies and houses, provides a vivid symbol of the rule of law and social justice in South Africa. This is the first comprehensive showing of the CCAC beyond its home at the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg.

Book to join a hosted walkabout
Venue: Monument Spaces
22 June, 12:30-13:30: Hosted by Catherine Kennedy (CCT)
27 June, 14:00-15:00: Hosted by Justice Albie Sachs, with Catherine Kennedy (CCT)
29 June, 13:00-14:00: Hosted by Justice Albie Sachs, with Catherine Kennedy (CCT)

CREDITS

Exhibition development: Catherine Kennedy (CCT manager) with the CCAC curatorial team - curators Bahlakoana Lesemane and Francois Lion-Cachet, supported by Buntu Makhedama (curatorial assistant) and Phenyo Masenya (curatorial Intern)

Exhibition production and installation oversight: Vaughn Sadie

Thanks to the National Arts Festival team for their support and assistance with this exhibition, including:

Exhibition coordination and installation: Raphaela Linders, Mook Lion, Phila Phaliso, Nicci Spalding, Bafana Zembe

NAF student gallery assistants: Karisna Bissett, Monique Daniel, Zaza Germond, Ofentse Links, Tony Maake, Sheba Mbondo, Sive Ntombana, Sange Mpambeni, Shenka Naidoo, Kamvelihle Netjies, Ezona Njokweni, Asenako Ntame, Gideon Onah, Cee-Jay Harry Porthen

Thursday 1 August - Saturday 7 September 2024
https://whag.co.za/

The exhibition at William Humphreys Art Gallery (WHAG) in Kimberley will be opened by Justice Albie Sachs on Thursday 1 August 2024, starting at 17:30 for 18:00. The South African premiere of the short documentary Where Art Meets Justice will also take place during the opening. Members of the public are encouraged to attend on RSVP basis by emailing zaakirah@whag.co.za or phoning 053 831 1724/5.

A free public walkabout with the CCAC curators will be held on Saturday 3 August at 10:00 to 11:30 and RSVPs are encouraged. This exhibition at WHAG will be on show until Saturday 7 September 2024. WHAG is open from 08:00-16:45 on weekdays and 09:00-14:00 on Saturdays (Sundays closed).

An education workshop for high school teachers (visual arts, history, social studies, life orientation, languages) will be held on Friday 2 August between 13:00 and 16:30 to enable them to lead their learners in engaging with the exhibition at WHAG and the CCAC in their classrooms. Educators are encouraged to email ccac@concourttrust.org.za for more information.

Find the press release here.

CREDITS

Exhibition development: Catherine Kennedy (CCT manager) with the CCAC curatorial team - curators Bahlakoana Lesemane and Francois Lion-Cachet, supported by Phenyo Masenya (curatorial assistant) and Sheba Mbondo (curatorial Intern)

Production design and manufacturing: Vaughn Sadie

Thanks to the WHAG team for their support and assistance with having installed this exhibition: Nelisiwe Mkhize, Chepape Makgato, Hesta Maree, Malikah Meyer, Keabetswe Koloi, Moses Senyatso, Vinen Quest, Kagiso Makodi, Lazarus Sebolai, Kenaleone Tlhareseng and all other members of the WHAG team.

27 September (opening) - 10 November 2024
https://www.kznsagallery.co.za

KZNSA #LABTalks series - attendance is free

Friday 4 October | 16h30 – 18h00
Art & Justice with speakers Ismail Farouk, Gille de Vlieg, Garth Walker and Coral Vinsen and Prof David McQuoid-Mason.

Friday 18 October | 16h30 – 18h00
The architecture of the Constitutional Court with court architect, Janina Masojada.

Friday 1 November | 16h30 – 18h00
Integrated artworks at the Constitutional Court.
Moderated by Janina Masojada, this talk includes artists whose artworks form part of the Court building including Andries Botha and Hlengiwe Dube.

Friday 8 November | 16h30 – 18h00
Documentary screening of Where Art Meets Justice (2024, directed by Mary Ann Braubach)
RSVP essential: ccac@concourttrust.org.za (attendance is free)

Saturday 9 November | 10h00 – 11h30
Closing weekend walkabout with Justice Albie Sachs
RSVP essential: ccac@concourttrust.org.za (attendance is free)

CCAC Educators' Workshops

These workshops will be facilitated by Sumayya Menezes, former education officer and curator of the KZNSA, and will explore the educational possibilities of the Constitutional Court Art Collection travelling exhibition, 'A LUTA CONTINUA: reflecting on 30 years of democracy through the CCAC'. The sessions will include a walkabout of the exhibition, and will be of benefit to secondary phase visual arts, life orientation, social studies, language and history educators.

Tuesday, 8 October 2024, 14h00 - 16h00.

Saturday, 26 October 2024, 9h30 - 12h30.

Kindly RSVP to attend the workshop by sending an email to gallery@kznsagallery.co.za.

CREDITS

Exhibition development: Catherine Kennedy (CCT manager) with the CCAC curatorial team - curators Bahlakoana Lesemane and Francois Lion-Cachet, supported by Phenyo Masenya (curatorial assistant) and Sheba Mbondo (curatorial Intern)

Production design and manufacturing: Vaughn Sadie

Thanks to the KZNSA Gallery team; Angela Shaw, Page Hadebe, Mbusi Mzolo, Njabulo Nyawofor, and Leo Janga for their support and assistance with having installed this exhibition: and all other members of the KZNSA team

Exhibition installation: The Hangman team, Peter Ford and Sandile Ngwane

Download the PDF versions of the Constitution booklets (Preamble and Bill of Rights), accompanying the travelling exhibition, below. Printed copies are available wherever the exhibition is on show. We are working on the translation of the booklet into more languages.