Artology: Iconic artworks of the University of Pretoria Museums Collections

19 April 2023 - 13 July 2023
Curator: Lelani Nicolaisen
Co-Curated: Gerard de Kamper
Art Conservator: Sandra Markgraaf
Project Coordinated by UP Museums

Artology is an exhibition in collaboration with the University of Pretoria Museums (UP

Museums).

‘Artology’ as a term is innovatively conceptualised by the UP Museums and is defined as, ‘The study of art or an object as art. A branch of knowledge or learning strategy applied to curatorship in a university museum context, including practical and theoretical perspectives. A variety of responses and methods to art-making, physical or visceral experiences.’ The UP Museums have an extensive and iconic collection of 20 th  and 21 st -century South African artworks collected by the University of Pretoria over 100 years. Featuring more than 50 artworks from the collection, the exhibition reflects on the institution’s 100-year-long history of collecting, which first began in 1922. The works in Artology showcase art by South African artists working in the past century, and further explore complex histories depicting both past and present narratives that have been developing over time and space.


Artology highlights processes of university-based museum curation, collecting, research, archiving and conservation. Artology is suggestive of overlooked gaps in these processes as a commentary on prolonged collecting and institutional legacies, and questions the universities’ past and present histories. By exhibiting iconic works from the Museums, Artology explores the University of Pretoria’s permanent collections, and how this history of collecting speaks to the present.

Reimagining Our Futures – Javett-UP 2023 Programme Announced 


As 2022 draws to a close, the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett- UP) looks back at an impactful year, highlighting connections, intersections, and creative diversity. Throughout the year, Javett-UP welcomed over 33 0000 visitors who engaged with our various exhibitions, public programmes, educational activities, and high-end private events. The Centre saw various interventions and activities that drew artists, activists, audiences, scholars, students, learners and myriad contact zones together at the heart of art in Tshwane for critical multi-disciplinary interactions and dialogues. 

The  2023 programme builds on the substantial depth achieved in 2022, and locates a sharper focus on pan-African artistic education in partnership with both local and continental platforms and forums, bridging the knowledge divide through hybrid channels. 

Through this programme, Javett-UP aims to mediate the transdisciplinary nature of connecting science and art to cultivate innovative ways of responding and contributing to our collective sustainable development goals and agendas. The conversations around cultural heritage continue, with the programme designed to explore new ways of bridging indigenous knowledge with academic research to cultivate new ideas and ways of doing. 

“Our 2023 programme emphasises pan-African artistic education in partnership with both local and continental platforms and forums, bridging the knowledge divide through hybrid channels. We will advocate art as a source of healing that our society is in dire need of, and we will create and promote a marketplace for the commercial and wellness value of the artistic experience and creative products to contribute to the growth of the creative economy and cultural tourism of our City of Tshwane. 

We send out our humble appreciation to all of you who graced us with your presence at the Art Centre, and your valued contributions and support to our programmes and operations. We are looking forward to welcoming you again together with your friends and family in the coming year” notes Javett-UP CEO Lekgetho Makola.

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