'A New Jerusalem’

The acclaimed Jackson Hlungwani exhibition, ‘Jackson Hlungwani – A New Jerusalem’, is moving to the University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park-Kingsway Campus,  which opens on 18 June 2014.Until recently the exhibition was on show at the Polokwane Municipal Art Museum in Limpopo, following  its  successful launch in November 2013 and an extension of the exhibition run   to  March this year. 

Funded by the MTN SA Foundation, this seminal exhibition provides a retrospective overview of the legendary artist's sculptures, prints, tools, sacred New Jerusalem site and philosophy.
 
By showcasing pivotal artists such as Hlungwani, UJ Arts & Culture continues to share South African artistic legacy, not only with its students but also with the South African public. Such programmes promote the development of the South African arts industry, especially when supported by two partnering organisations of calibre.

“As the current hosts, we have been granted a rare opportunity to exhibit such a large body of work by the late Jackson Hlungwani. All of the work on show was borrowed from public collections and individual collectors who kindly contributed some of the most important pieces created during the artist's life time.  It is a privilege to be associated with partners such as MTN SA Foundation, our main sponsor for this project and working closely with Nessa Leibhammer, the guest curator, whose knowledge on this subject is unsurpassed.” says Annali Cabano-Dempsey, UJ Art Gallery Curator.   
 
Jackson Xidonkani Hlungwani is one of South Africa’s most celebrated sculptors. During his life, and since his passing in 2010, this Limpopo artist has grown as a legend – not only because of his unique and powerful sculptures, but also because of his renown as preacher and visionary. Since the 1980s, Hlungwani’s work has been shown in Europe and America and his work is represented in major public and private art collections, nationally and internationally.

"As the sole funders of this project, MTN SA Foundation’s two-year support includes sharing the exhibition with as many South Africans as possible; hence the re-opening of the exhibition at the University of Johannesburg Art Gallery." says Kusile Mtunzi-Hairwadzi, General Manager of MTN SA Foundation.

Originally conceptualized by Amos Letsoalo at the Polokwane Municipal Art Museum, this exhibition was developed by renowned curator, Nessa Leibhammer. It consists of some 40 artworks, artifacts and biographical photographs loaned from public and private collections,  providing a comprehensive overview of Hlungwani’s contribution to South African art.

Visitors will be able to see many of Hlungwani’s now-famous fish sculptures, including ‘Leaping Fish’, ‘Double Fish’ and ‘Emperor Fish’ as well as ‘God’s Leg with Eggs’, the ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Christ Playing Football’, amongst many others. The works on the exhibition will be complemented by large photographic images that show the world of Hlungwani as he carved, taught and inspired. Also on exhibition is a visual pilgrimage through Hlungwani’s ‘New Jerusalem’ site, comprising 40 never-before seen photographs, taken by architect Peter Rich in the early 1980s, as well as an annotated map of the site drawn by Rich.

The exhibition will be complemented by an education programme targeting students, schools and communities. A dedicated edition of ‘ArtTalk’ published by the MTN SA Foundation will be available at the gallery.

18 June - 16 July