34 THE RUPERT MUSEUM New Space New Outlook, Stellenbosch

THE RUPERT MUSEUM New Space New Outlook rupertmuseum.org Photo: Wilhelm van Zyl

Exhibition view. The Johannesburg Station Panels, by JH Pierneef. Transnet Foundation Collection. Opposite page: Exhibition view Eliot Malekuto (1988) by Keith Dietrich.

The Rupert Museum was established in 2005 by the late Dr Anton and Mrs Huberte Rupert, a visionary project for a space to share their private and corporate collections with the public. As of mid-May this year the museum reopened its doors after a short but extensive renovation period under the guidance of Hanneli Rupert. Ms Rupert’s vision for an inclusive and collaborative space for its community is taking shape through new exhibitions, public and educational programming and the recently launched Social Impact Arts Prize.

Exhibitions currently on show: The Cape Town Triennials – Then & Now (on exhibition ‘til mid-February 2020)

This exhibition presents a selection of works by celebrated contemporary South African artists, who exhibited in The Cape Town Triennial shows between 1982 and 1991. The Cape Town Triennial was one of South Africa’s most established art exhibitions. Political turmoil during this period in South African history reflected in what is generally referred to as “Resistance Art”. Sociopolitical commentary

gave powerful meaning to rising artistic voices while emerging artists established their visual practices inside this canon.

With the selection of a few artists, guided by the artworks in the Rembrandt van Rijn collection, the artworks from the Cape Town Triennials are paired with more recent work by the same artists. Casting an eye on the artists’ development and relevance of work in the last 20 years. The exhibition showed the work of William Kentridge, Keith Dietrich, Willie Bester, Philippa Hobbs and Peter Schűtz in its first rotation. Currently in its second rotation, the work of Penelope Siopis, Diane Victor, Deborah Bell, Helen Sebidi and Steven Cohen are featured.

The Johannesburg Station Panels (on exhibition ‘til end May 2020)

Artist JH Pierneef’s most acclaimed public commission was completed between 1929 and 1932. The Johannesburg Station Panels have been characterised as the epitome of the South African landscape genre. The Rupert Art Foundation as custodian of these acclaimed panels have ensured their presence and public display since 2004.

Rupert Museum, MakerStudio, Photo Wilhelm van Zyl

Rupert Museum interior

The influences of Art Nouveau and Art Deco are widely recognizable in the work of JH Pierneef, especially with the Johannesburg Station Panels initially created for a space primed by architectural and decorative furnishings inspired by both art movements. This exhibition looks into the finer details of the art movement’s influences on Pierneef’s practice through his paintings and graphic works.

BookWorks (on exhibition ‘til end February 2020) Artists’ books lie at the intersection of disciplines in both the visual arts and literature, and include poetry, prose, playwriting, illustration, picture books, the graphic novel, graphic design, typography, photography, printmaking, drawing, painting, papermaking and bookbinding. Many, however, transgress the boundaries of the conventional book form by entering the arenas of sculpture, installation and performance, as well as the now escalating field of digital and screenbased media. Although many examples might not even be identifiable as books, they play with the meanings associated with books and book making.

The exhibition showcases the multi-layered aspects of artists’ books with the work of Keith Dietrich and Heléne van Aswegen.

Rupert Museum Cafe, Mural by Vladimir Tretchikoff

Faces & Figures – Selected 20 th century South African Artists (on exhibition ‘til mid May 2020) Portraiture captures the relationship between sitter and artist in holding the likeness of the sitter. In figurative studies, the artist strives to understand human form and gestures. Faces and Figures explores the work of the following 20 th century South African artists - Gerard Bhengu, Irma Stern, Anton van Wouw, George Pemba, Maggie Laubser, Gerard Sekoto and Moses Kottler. These artists contributed to the South African Modern

Art genre in the mediums of painting, drawing, and sculpture. They are among the most prominent artists of the 20th century and they represent the vast and unequal circumstances affording artistic production of their time.

The selected works show a variety of artists that negotiated a spectrum of patrons in public or private spaces, whether the result of creative exploration through township scenes or dictated by an audience, the consumer or a wealthy benefactor.

The Social Impact Arts Prize The Social Impact Arts Prize is a new art prize with a focus on social impact that has a direct measurable effect on individuals and communities, as a result of an arts-based activity, project or programme. South Africa has a deep pool of untapped creativity. Artists, architects and engineers, landscapers, environmentalists, creative visionaries and other experienced community creatives are invited to submit impactful, creative and meaningful ideas and concepts for consideration. It aims to provide a platform

Exhibition view, Faces & Figures. Foreground, The Carrier (c1938), by Moses Kottler. Pretoria Art Museum Collection

to stimulate and support this pool of talent. The prize focuses on specific categories in South Africa where social impact can be measured, including Education, Employment, Community, Environment, Technology and Direct Arts. For more information visit www.socialimpactartsprize.org

Public and educational programmes: The Rupert Museum’s all new look is not just on the inside. Visitors can enjoy a trundle through our new garden, visit our cafe and get active in the MakerStudio. On the last Saturday of each month join us for a full programme of activities from artist talks, workshops, live music to wine tastings. Our Museum Saturdays offer activities for museum visitors of all ages. Our public programmes provide mid-week activities too. We host Senior Tuesdays as well as Wednesday and Friday museum walkabouts. Thursdays are about Wellness so join us in your lunch hour for Yoga Thursdays. Our Sunday offering includes specials at our Museum Café featuring the Tretchikoff fireplace. We keep things interesting with many other activities woven into the programme.

The Rupert Museum is positively buzzing with a little something for everyone this season. Stay up to date by keeping an eye on our facebook page, and make sure to book your spot.

Senior Tuesday Offers our visitors over 60 walkabouts with the curator, workshops, demos or a garden tour, all with a complimentary glass of wine.

Museum Walkabouts The museum offers free walkabouts for groups and individuals of our current exhibitions every Wednesday and Friday at 11am and 1pm. Join us for an insightful 45 min guide through the gallery.

Yoga Thursday Each Thursday use your lunch hour to take a time out and focus on your wellness. Join us for a yoga session at the Rupert Museum’s MakerStudio with Yolande Riekert.

Sunday Specials at our Museum Café While away your Sunday in our gem of a café and enjoy our range of sweets and bakes. Our delicious, brunch and lunch menu offers freshly prepared meals with satisfying homey goodness at great prices. Sunday specials change regularly so do enquire ahead of time. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am.

Hours: Tues - Fri: 10h - 17h Sat - Sun: 10h - 16h Entry complimentary info@rupertmuseum.org / 0218883344