‘Sutha ke Fete: The Art of the Basotho Blanket’ exhibition extends run to August
|Published
It’s winter and the Basotho blankets are taking centre stage at the Sanlam Art Gallery in Bellville. Due to the high demand from the public, the “Sutha ke Fete: The Art of the Basotho Blanket” exhibition has been extended.
Showcasing the heritage and contemporary designs of the iconic Basotho blankets, the exhibition, which opened in March and was supposed to close in June, will remain open to the public until August 2.
What makes this exhibition extraordinary is that it not only celebrates the rich Sotho culture but also includes rare heritage pieces from the National Museum in Bloemfontein and contemporary designs from the Sanlam Art Collection and Aranda’s Young Basotho Designers Collection.
“Every big moment in Basotho people’s lives is marked with a blanket. The blankets symbolise life itself, new life, shared life and the end of life. We are deeply privileged to be able to share in these stories.
“Sanlam is committed to empowering all Africans to be financially confident, secure, and prosperous,” said Stefan Hundt, curator of the Sanlam Art Collection.
“A big part of this means understanding and respecting our shared histories. Living with confidence means knowing our stories so that we can protect the things that matter the most for generations to come.”
In other news, the Heat Festival, a 12-day-long art showcase, is coming up this month, where young creatives will present works at 14 art galleries and other venues, including a theatre and a church, across Cape Town’s city centre.
Running from July 11 until 21, Heat will feature the works of Lebo Kekana, an artist and curator, and emerging young artist Sarafina Naisula, a contemporary artist of Dutch and Tanzanian descent.2