Leibhammer's Hlungwani retrospective opens in Limpopo

Jackson Hlugwani, Altar to God, New Jerusalem, circa 1984
PHOTO: SUSAN COLE

APC research fellow Nessa Leibhammer has curated a major exhibition of works by sculptor Jackson Hlungwani, which opened at the Polokwane Municipal Art Museum in his home province of Limpopo at the beginning of December.

In his opening speech, Polokwane Mayor Freddie Greaver paid tribute to the artist and defined Jackson Hlungwani - A New Jerusalem as a fitting gesture to honour Hlungwani's extraordinary legacy. The mayor shared with the 450 guests present at the launch the city's pride in hosting the exhibition.Through the Mayor's charitable fund, he donated R50 000 to the surviving family members of the artist, who died in 2010.

Working in partnership with the Limpopo Arts and Culture Association, the Museum has, since 2011, conducted exhaustive research into the sculptures of Hlungwani, one of South Africa's most celebrated artists. The project was initiated by Museum Director Amos Letsoalo, with Leibhammer as guest curator. 'The road to bringing Hlungwani's artworks back into the province has not been an easy one, and we are glad that MTN SA Foundation helped us to make it a reality,' said Letsoalo.

Hlungwani's legendary aura is due not only to his unique sculptures, but also to his reputation as a preacher and visionary. Since the 1980s his work has been shown in Europe, America and Asia and he is represented in major public and private art collections nationally and internationally.

Yet, as General Manager of the MTN SA Foundation, Kusile Mtunzi-Hairwadzi, pointed out, 'In his home province, Limpopo, relatively few people have enjoyed access to his artworks, and even fewer a comprehensive body of his works on display. It is an honour to be involved in a project that will redress this oversight.'

The exhibition features 45 artworks, loaned from both public and private collections, drawing a comprehensive overview of Hlungwani's body of work. During the run of the exhibition, which will be up until the end of January 2014, visitors will be able to see many of his 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 exhibition are complemented by large photographic images that show Hlungwani carving and teaching, providing inspiration to local audiences and the many art lovers who are expected to travel to view the exhibition.

Also on exhibition is a visual pilgrimage through Hlungwani's New Jerusalem site, comprising more than 40 never-before-seen photographs and drawings of the place, made by architect Peter Rich in the early 1980s.

Gallery opening hours are from 09:00 - 16:00, Mondays to Fridays.

PHOTO: VONANI BILA

 

Jackson Hlungwani, Head of Christ Playing Football, 1983, Collection: Johannesburg Art Gallery
PHOTO: RUSSELL SCOTT