Discover the Bays art treasures and shared history

Visit the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum exhibition on public art to discover the treasures of Nelson Mandela Bay.  Our exhibition, Public Art: A Journey from the colonial past into the present, is on view from 12 February to 17 April 2011and features a timeline giving locations and brief descriptions of notable public art in the Bay from the Donkin Pyramid, built in 1820, to the Bay’s newest and brightest sculptures.  Also on show are historical and contemporary sculptures, paintings, photographs and maquettes drawn from the Art Museum’s permanent collection and on loan from artists.

From Uitenhage to Summerstrand, and everywhere in between, this exhibition provides a fun and informative view of the city.  The public is invited to imagine artworks from the Museum’s collection as public works on a grand scale and placed in selected areas of the city.

In addition to the exhibition, an Art Forum will take place at the Art Museum on 11 April from 9:00 to 16h30.  Top academics and cultural movers and shakers will be presenting their views on current and controversial issues and topics relating to public art.  Public opinion and support is crucial if art is going to flourish in the city and public participation will be encouraged.  Those present at the Forum will be invited to enter the debate.

Two tours of the Metro will take place on 30 April and 14 May 2011.  These excursions will bring to light shared histories and promise to give a totally new perspective on the history of the city.  The first, on 30 April, will include monuments, memorials and heritage sites and the second, held on 14 of May, will focus on Central and, in particular, Route 67 and the Donkin Reserve.   Both tours will be accompanied by a team of “those-in-the-know” including Margaret Harradine, Amrit Daya, Nonceba Shoba, Lulama Mngazi, Mary Duker, David Jones, Chris du Preez and Dorelle Sapera.

Other events accompanying the exhibition include a high school project, Green on Green, which will challenge Grade 11 learners to build a public work using recyclable material and a practical workshop in June on moulding and casting techniques for the general public.

To book for the Art forum, workshop or tours please contact the Art Museum on (Tel): +27 (0)41 506 2000 or email: artmuseum@mandelmetro.gov.za.