Grade 11 learners exhibit at the UCT Irma Stern Museum

In 2022, the University of Cape Town (UCT) Irma Stern Museum initiated a partnership with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) on a project called Rethinking Irma Stern. The project was a huge success, and the museum is excited to host it for the second time this year. 

Rethinking Irma Stern aims to promote the excitement and relevance of visual arts and design through the work of renowned South African Artist Irma Stern (1894–1966). The project culminates in an exhibition of designs and artworks by Grade 11 school learners at the UCT Irma Stern Museum. The exhibition opened to the public on 20 September and will run until 14 October.

For this initiative, all WCED Grade 11 Visual Art and Design learners in the province were invited to visit the UCT Irma Stern Museum or view the museum’s website, and to analyse, re-think and re-interpret the work of Irma Stern in an art or design piece of their own. The learners that visited the museum had great fun participating in practical three-hour long workshops linked to the initiative.

A selection of these inspiring learners’ designs and artworks – chosen by an independent panel with artists and educators Rory Emmett and Zimkhitha Mliswa – are on display for teachers, learners, their families, and the public to enjoy.

The UCT Irma Stern Museum is proud that it can encourage the next generation of artists and designers by including their work in the UCT Irma Stern Museum’s programme.

The exhibition is open for viewing Wednesday–Friday at 10:00 and Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00.