Newsletter 2/22

Dear Friends,

With this newsletter, we invite you to a programme of events that mark Athi-Patra Ruga’s exhibition at the UCT Irma Stern Museum. Many of you will know that we have been excited to host the inspiring Athi as an artist-in-residence. We look forward to opening the exhibition of works he produced in residence and select loan works.

The exhibition

Athi & Irma… an intervention – opens to the public on 31 March and closes on 18 June

(We strongly encourage pre-booking your visit at irmastern@uct.ac.za | 021 650 7240 | 060 827 0787. Please note the new opening date – a technical gremlin meant that we could not open on the date first announced – but we are sure you agree that this is one exhibition worth waiting for!)

We invite you to be part of this project by joining us at the museum for:

Walkabouts led by Athi Patra Ruga – spend time in the exhibition with the artist.
Sat 9 April 10:30 – 12:30 and Thur 12 May 14:00 – 16:00 

Discussion with Athi-Patra Ruga and guests – join Athi and guests as they speak about Athi’s decades-long engagement with the work of Irma Stern.
Sat 14 May 10:30 – 12:00  

Walkabouts led by ISM Director Nadja Daehnke – explore the themes of the exhibition in an informal tour with Nadja. 
Wed 13 April 10:30 – 12:30 and Tue 3 May 14:00 – 16:00.
Regular entry fees apply: R 65; pensioners, students, UCT Staff and U-18 free.

Old Meets New workshop – led by ISM Curator and Educator Nobukho Nqaba, this practical workshop is inspired by Athi Patra Ruga’s fascination with Irma Stern’s work.
Athi has spent an enormous amount of time engaging with Stern’s work, unpacking key themes. Workshop participants will similarly engage with Irma Stern’s work and practise the “radical act of looking and speaking about what artists do” (Athi-Patra 2022).
At the workshop, you will look at Irma Stern and Athi Patra Rugas’ work, pairing these with other South African artists like George Pemba, Gerard Sekoto, Gladys Mgudlandlu, Walter Battiss, Alexis Preller, Dumile Feni and Robert Hodgins. You will create your own remix inspired by Irma and Athis’ work; hence the theme Old meets new.
Tue 24 May 11:30 – 13:00 and Sat 4 June 11:30 – 13:00
R 250 entry fee includes materials and refreshments.

Places are limited – book your slot!

All the best, stay safe, and we hope to see you at the exhibition or events.

With best wishes from the ISM Team