Exalting the past, attaining the future at Carnegie Art Gallery

Carnegie Art Gallery has moved forward by honouring the past.

The gallery opened its visual art exhibition, entitled ‘Without the past, no forward’ on Friday night, an event said to be three years in the making.

Its concept was devised by gallery leadership as an annual project.

While it took until this year to come to fruition, the goal of educating residents on artistic heritage and social cohesion were considered as relevant to Carnegie Art Gallery Curator, Phumzile Dlamini.

Exhibit co-founder, Eric Kubheka got proceedings underway.

Acting as MC for the evening, Kubheka first introduced Deputy Mayor, Dudu Sibiya, who welcomed guests with a brief message on the significance of heritage to all residents, and thereafter Bonang Zondi from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture’s Museum Services division.

She congratulated Dlamini and Carnegie staff on the success of the event.

Things had officially kicked off earlier in the day with an open craft fair, supported by bead workers, leather craftsmen and seamstresses, and workshops where artists could hone their skills.

“From what I have heard, it was a success throughout the day,” Zondi added.

The evening’s guest speaker was Benjamin Ntsuntsha, a university lecturer with vast experience in arts and culture and whose journey took him overseas to study in London during the apartheid regime.

His list of credentials is both as local as it is international.

Ntsuntsha paid credit to Carnegie Art Gallery for making it possible for youths to expand their creativity, and spoke on the importance of exchanging ideas with one’s artwork.

“Ask yourself, at the canvas, if you’ve communicated with your artwork.”

Mayor, Makhosini Nkosi provided insight into the municipality’s role, and admitted arts and culture often took a backseat to issues of service delivery.

His speech delved into the segregation of the part.

Cllr Nkosi explained how equality remained a dream in South Africa, as willingness was the foundation upon which social cohesion could be built.

“We must seek common ground and seek our shared values; we can foster cohesion only if we are prepared to do so.”

The formalities were concluded with the vote of thanks by Dlamini and official announcements by Thuli Madonsela from the municipality.

Guests then had a chance to observe the artworks on display.

To further the cultural ambience of the evening, local poets delivered stirring pieces, and a local group of Zulu dancers danced in jubilation.

“God bless us all in our quest for social cohesion,” concluded Cllr Nkosi.

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