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Investigating themes around the future of higher education,

'Forward? Forward! Forward...' punts the important role of art

 in a remarkable, wide-ranging celebratory group show

Opens 5 December 2018, at the Stellenbosch University Museum

Making a case for the value of art production in the realm of higher education and the future, the Stellenbosch University Museum will host a unique, prestige group exhibition in celebration of the University's Centenary. More than 60 artists will be represented.

“Forward? Forward! Forward..." , opening on 5 December in the stately museum building, is the result of an open call to artists earlier to propose artworks addressing the future of higher education, locally and in Africa, and re-imagining the future of Stellenbosch University.

According to the curators, Ulrich Wolff and Elizabeth Miller-Vermeulen, the response has delivered an intriguing range of exciting works, touching numerous themes in a variety of media.

More than 250 innovative and compelling proposals, serving as catalysts for debate and engagement with the future of the university and education were submitted. 

Artists interpreted the theme to address such issues as identity and cultural perspectives, mentorship, literacy, fields of knowledge, human-to-human connectivity, language, campus power structures and social systems.

Creative expressions include installations, painting, collage, drawing, photography, video, short film, animation, print media, sculpture and performance art.

A commemorative catalogue by the Stellenbosch University Museum will augment the exhibition. 

As part of a transformative/collaborative concept, essays by authors from the Institute for Futures Research, under the direction of Dr. Morné Mostert, will inform the art of  “Forward? Forward! Forward..." and extending the vital debate around the futuristic theme in this Centenary year.

Artists taking part include Zyma Amien, Willem Boshoff, Chris Soal, Sthenjwa Luthuli, Liza Grobler, Lhola Amira, Johann Louw, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Tangeni Kambudu, Emma Willemse, Willie Bester, Gordon Froud, Stephané E. Conradie, Victor Mofukeng, Dan Halter, Ingrid Bolton, Conrad Botes, Sharlé Matthews, Heleen de Haas and Ley Mboramwe Makalele collaboration, Claudette Schreuders, Lehlohonolo Mkhasibe, Hannalie Taute, Strijdom van der Merwe, Ashley Walters, Sinalithemba Ntuli, Tamlin Blake, Ilené Bothma, Lhola Amira , Norman O`Flynn, Jaco Sieberhagen, Lunga Kama, Pierre le Riche, Ydi Coetsee, Spier Arts Academy and Marlise Keith collaboration, Anya Ramparsad , Thabo Motseki, Heidi Fourie and Jessica Storm Kapp.

A selection panel of five considered the initial proposals. They were Ashley Walters, Robyn-Leigh Cedras, Maurice Mbikayi, Ulrich Wolff and Elizabeth Miller-Vermeulen.

“Forward? Forward! Forward..." will continue until 30 April 2019

For more information contact: Ulrich Wolff (021 808 3029) or Elizabeth Miller-Vermeulen (083 700 9669)