100 Years: 100 Objects: It’s a celebration

The Michaelis School of Fine Art celebrates its centenary with 100 Years: 100 Objects, an exhibition Associate Professor Fritha Langerman describes as an “unofficial history.” Drawing on contributions from past and present staff, the exhibition tells the story of the institution through 100 objects, images, and anecdotes. For Associate Professor Langerman, the curation reflects a century of artistic invention, critical discourse, and social consciousness.

More than a retrospective, the show foregrounds the school’s pivotal role in shaping South Africa’s art landscape. It asks us to consider how art reflects, disrupts, and reimagines society. Visitors will encounter formative student works – such as those by Marlene Dumas, now one of the world’s most acclaimed artists – alongside archival materials that trace Michaelis’ growth in mediums, ideas, and politics across a hundred years.

Ultimately, the exhibition invites reflection on the past while opening space to imagine the future of Michaelis, as it continues to nurture voices that challenge, inspire, and transform. The exhibition runs until 8 October 2025 at the Michaelis  art gallery.

#HeritageMonth #UCTVision2030 #HeritageMonth #TransformationAtUCT #100Years100Objects #ArtAndHistory #Michaelis100