Johannesburg Art Gallery closed for repairs
JOBURG – Rain causes damage to one of Johannesburg's famed historical buildings.
The City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Community Development, councillor Nonhlanhla Sifumba, has ordered the temporary closure of the Johannesburg Art Gallery with immediate effect.
The move comes after the persistent rains that have wreaked havoc in and around Johannesburg, and which has led to extensive water damage to the gallery’s infrastructure on 21 January, subsequently raising safety concerns for its employees.
“The incident forced gallery staff to move artworks from the walls to storerooms and the basement. Also, we could not risk the lives of our employees after emergency services, occupational health and safety, and risk management were called to the scene and advised that the facility be closed,” said Sifumba.
This temporary closure will allow the City to conduct a detailed assessment of the building and undertake critical conservation management interventions.
The gallery is an iconic heritage institution that has been a valuable tourist attraction in the city. It will be closed to the public for the next three months while major construction work to restore the building takes place.
“It must be noted that leaking in the gallery dates back to 1989, and attempts to repair it over the years have failed,” Sifumba added
“The previous administration left the facility in a shambles. Nothing was done to upgrade and maintain the facility, despite millions being allocated for this purpose prior to its 2015 centenary.”
Sifumba will visit the gallery as part of an inspection in an effort to fast-track the restoration.
Read: Meet Joburg’s smallest art gallery
Do you know of other buildings in the city which have been affected by the recent rains? Go to the City Buzz Facebook page and tell us about them.
