Atlanta gallery view of “If You Can Look Hard Enough, You Can See Our Future”
Image: Supplied
William Kentridge, Gerard Sekoto, David Goldblatt, Zanele Muholi, Sam Nhlengethwa and Sue Williamson are just a few South African artists one can namedrop that are currently on show at this year's “If You Can Look Hard Enough, You Can See Our Future” exhibition that opened this past Friday at the Tulane University's Newcomb Art Museum in New Orleans.
This travelling exhibition made its worldwide debut at the African American Museum, in Dallas in 2023. In 2024 it made its way to the African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta. This year it is in New Orleans, with 50 artworks on show.
The exhibition is curated by Laurie Ann Farrell from Nando's 27 000+ art collection.
"It's quite meaningful to be able to curate an exhibit from such an exemplary collection and bring an impressive range of talent from the African continent to New Orleans,” said Farrell.
“Our hope is that all who visit will experience the universal themes of humanity, love, loss and hope for a better future as illustrated by the artworks.”
The collection of works was the brainchild of late philanthropist and businessman, Dick Enthoven, who got Nando's collecting art in partnership with the Spier Arts Trust from as early as 2004. Enthoven's longtime friend Farrell was then appointed its curator ever since.
To this day, if you look carefully around any Nando's restaurant wall you will find various pieces of art. For a very long time I had thought it was mostly emerging artists on their walls and didn't realise they were snapping up big-name contemporary artists. They have the same set-up even at their new Texas and Georgia chains.
“At Nando's, we're proud to see African creativity shining on the global stage. Celebrating original talent from our home in South Africa is at the heart of our values,” said Nando's South Africa's Marketing Director, Jessica Wheeler.
The artworks currently on show can be split into three categories; Portraiture, Place and Abstraction.
- Portraiture: Jane Alexander, Arlene Amaler-Raviv, Willie Bester, Tamlin Blake, Mbongeni Buthelezi, Robert Hodgins, William Kentridge, Vivien Kohler, David Koloane, Lutanda Zemba Luzamba, Mário Macilau, Patrick Makumbe, Maurice Mbikayi, Zanele Muholi, Claudette Schreuders, Nontsikelelo ‘Lolo’ Veleko and Diane Victor.
- Place: Sanell Aggenbach, Arlene Amaler-Raviv, Philip Barlow, Kudzanai Chiurai, Paul Emmanuel, Abrie Fourie, David Goldblatt, Stephen Hobbs, Diana Hyslop, Kagiso Patrick Mautloa, Hermann Niebuhr, Catherine Ocholla, Sam Nhlengethwa, Deborah Poynton, Jo Ractliffe, Athi-Patra Ruga, Jürgen Schadeberg, Berni Searle, Gerard Sekoto and Sue Williamson.
- Abstraction: Igshaan Adams, Patrick Bongoy, Christo Coetzee, Abrie Fourie, Trasi Henen, Stephen Hobbs, Patrick Kagiso Mautloa, Samson Mnisi, John Murray, Anastasia Pather, Clive van den Berg and Portia Zvavahera.
“This exhibition from the Nando’s collection supports our academic vision in utilizing the critical frameworks of diverse disciplines in conceptualizing and interpreting art and design,” said the Executive Director of Newcomb Art Museum, Dr Maurita Poole.
“Securing a world-class collection of contemporary South African art is supporting the mission of the Newcomb Art Museum to present original exhibitions that explore socially engaged art, civic dialogue and community transformation."
Friday's opening was accompanied by a jazz concert led by renowned musician and composers Courtney Bryan and MacArthur Fellow, accompanied by Alfred Jordan on drums and Max Moran on bass.
This Saturday, visitors can also take part in the New Orleans Book Fest at Lavin-Bernick Center at Tulane University.
The exhibition is on until June 20.
South African artist Vivien Kohler in front of his artwork
Image: Supplied
Cape Times