What does it mean to be a 'national' gallery when the notions of 'nation' transform radically?: An analysis of the Iziko South African National Gallery's practices and policies in historical contexts

While much has been written on the European display of non - western art and artefact collected from their colonies in Africa, less has been documented about the European settler arts institutions, like the South African National Gallery (SANG), whose distant location away from the imperial centre initially presented particular challenges. In South Africa, since colonialism, these challenges have been expanded by settler nationalisms, a racially oppressive regime, a liberation movement, and a relatively peaceful transition to a democracy. In its form and its function, the SANG has reflected the redefined nationalisms that accompanied these historical moments. In light of the global history of national galleries and more recent theoretical discussions about cultural institutions, this study probes the complex layering of histories evidenced in collection and exhibition practices at the SANG in its historical contexts. Historically South African galleries have reflected colonial and later apartheid ideologies. With the transition to a democratic society in 1994, the ‘new’ South Africa ushered in a radically redefined national identity. If national collections reflect the nations to which they belong, this study questions the SANG’s ability in reflecting successive redefinitions of South African nationhood, and its adaptability in meeting shifting social and political requirements. By examining shifts in collections and display practices and policies, in the SANG’s historical contexts, this paper ultimately asks the question: What does it mean to be a ‘national’ gallery when the notions of ‘nation’ transform radically?

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Michaelis School of Fine Art

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Barben, Marc Walter

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Tietze, Anna ; Martin, Marilyn

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13650

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/13650