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The Africa Institute in collaboration with the Sharjah Art Foundation, presents “Gavin Jantjes: To Be Free! A Retrospective 1970–2023,” that traces the multifarious journey of artist Gavin Jantjes as a creative agent of change, celebrating his multifaceted roles as painter, printmaker, writer, curator and activist. Driven by his formative years in Cape Town, which coincided with the early years of South African apartheid (1948–1994), Jantjes’ journey embodies a quest for artistic emancipation, with a freedom not bound by the Eurocentric gaze or expectations of Black creativity. For Jantjes, this quest has meant a life of itinerant exile manifesting in multiple careers.
Structured into chapters spanning 1970 to the present, To Be Free! underscores pivotal phases in Jantjes’ life. It explores his engagement with anti-apartheid activism in the 1970s to mid-1980s, his transformative role at art institutions in the UK, Germany and Norway and his compelling figurative portrayals of the global Black struggle for freedom as well as his recent transition to non-figurative painting.
This comprehensive retrospective also provides insights into Jantjes’ curatorial initiatives, written contributions and wider advocacy, demonstrating his significant impact on both African and African diaspora art and the global contemporary art scene. Through the various threads of his career over the last 50 years, his work has transcended temporal and geographical confines and asserted the relevance of African art in global cultural dialogues.
Gavin Jantjes, born in Cape Town, South Africa during the apartheid era, is a multifaceted artist, activist, and curator with a global impact. His journey, marked by exile and a nomadic life across Europe, reflects his diverse roles in the arts, spanning artistic direction, curation, education, and historical exploration in countries like England, Germany, Norway, and South Africa. Renowned as one of South Africa’s foremost artists, his international exhibitions and art have become touchstones in discussions surrounding apartheid, cultural exchange, and artistic freedom. His work is enshrined in prestigious collections worldwide, while his influence extends to shaping the cultural diversity policy of the United Kingdom during his tenure with the Arts Council of Great Britain. With a legacy of curating over thirty contemporary exhibitions and contributions as an author and advocate for cultural diversity, Gavin Jantjes remains a vital force in the art world, poised to make a significant impact with his upcoming retrospective exhibition in 2023.
On the “Speaking of Art” podcast by Sharjah Art Foundation, artist Gavin Jantjes talks about his dedication to Black liberation over five decades. Join host Hoor Al Qasimi and curator Salah M. Hassan as they discuss Jantjes’ artistic journey and challenges. Learn about his creative process and the impact of his work on contemporary discussions. Listen on Spotify, Apple, Google, or Anghami.
Salah M. Hassan is Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences in Africana Studies, Director of the Institute for Comparative Modernities (ICM), and Professor of Art History and Visual Culture in the Africana Studies and Research Center, and the Department of History of Art and Visual Studies, Cornell University. Salah M. Hassan is the Director of The Africa Institute, Sharjah, UAE.
In the below video, curator and art historian Salah M. Hassan explains the historical importance of Gavin Jantjes’ painting ‘Untitled’ (1989) from the ‘Zulu’ series. He discusses how the artwork contributes to the discourse and representation of African and African diaspora art.
The exhibition is open between November 18, 2023 – March 10, 2024 at Gallery 4, 5 & 6, Al Mureijah Square, Sharjah. For more details, click here.
The Africa Institute in collaboration with the Sharjah Art Foundation, presents “Gavin Jantjes: To Be Free! A Retrospective 1970–2023,” that traces the multifarious journey of artist Gavin Jantjes as a creative agent of change, celebrating his multifaceted roles as painter, printmaker, writer, curator and activist. Driven by his formative years in Cape Town, which coincided with the early years of South African apartheid (1948–1994), Jantjes’ journey embodies a quest for artistic emancipation, with a freedom not bound by the Eurocentric gaze or expectations of Black creativity. For Jantjes, this quest has meant a life of itinerant exile manifesting in multiple careers.
The Africa Institute in collaboration with the Sharjah Art Foundation, presents “Gavin Jantjes: To Be Free! A Retrospective 1970–2023,” that traces the multifarious journey of artist Gavin Jantjes as a creative agent of change, celebrating his multifaceted roles as painter, printmaker, writer, curator and activist. Driven by his formative years in Cape Town, which coincided with the early years of South African apartheid (1948–1994), Jantjes’ journey embodies a quest for artistic emancipation, with a freedom not bound by the Eurocentric gaze or expectations of Black creativity. For Jantjes, this quest has meant a life of itinerant exile manifesting in multiple careers.
Structured into chapters spanning 1970 to the present, To Be Free! underscores pivotal phases in Jantjes’ life. It explores his engagement with anti-apartheid activism in the 1970s to mid-1980s, his transformative role at art institutions in the UK, Germany and Norway and his compelling figurative portrayals of the global Black struggle for freedom as well as his recent transition to non-figurative painting.
This comprehensive retrospective also provides insights into Jantjes’ curatorial initiatives, written contributions and wider advocacy, demonstrating his significant impact on both African and African diaspora art and the global contemporary art scene. Through the various threads of his career over the last 50 years, his work has transcended temporal and geographical confines and asserted the relevance of African art in global cultural dialogues.
Gavin Jantjes, born in Cape Town, South Africa during the apartheid era, is a multifaceted artist, activist, and curator with a global impact. His journey, marked by exile and a nomadic life across Europe, reflects his diverse roles in the arts, spanning artistic direction, curation, education, and historical exploration in countries like England, Germany, Norway, and South Africa. Renowned as one of South Africa’s foremost artists, his international exhibitions and art have become touchstones in discussions surrounding apartheid, cultural exchange, and artistic freedom. His work is enshrined in prestigious collections worldwide, while his influence extends to shaping the cultural diversity policy of the United Kingdom during his tenure with the Arts Council of Great Britain. With a legacy of curating over thirty contemporary exhibitions and contributions as an author and advocate for cultural diversity, Gavin Jantjes remains a vital force in the art world, poised to make a significant impact with his upcoming retrospective exhibition in 2023.
On the “Speaking of Art” podcast by Sharjah Art Foundation, artist Gavin Jantjes talks about his dedication to Black liberation over five decades. Join host Hoor Al Qasimi and curator Salah M. Hassan as they discuss Jantjes’ artistic journey and challenges. Learn about his creative process and the impact of his work on contemporary discussions. Listen on Spotify, Apple, Google, or Anghami.
Salah M. Hassan is Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences in Africana Studies, Director of the Institute for Comparative Modernities (ICM), and Professor of Art History and Visual Culture in the Africana Studies and Research Center, and the Department of History of Art and Visual Studies, Cornell University. Salah M. Hassan is the Director of The Africa Institute, Sharjah, UAE.
In the below video, curator and art historian Salah M. Hassan explains the historical importance of Gavin Jantjes’ painting ‘Untitled’ (1989) from the ‘Zulu’ series. He discusses how the artwork contributes to the discourse and representation of African and African diaspora art.
The exhibition is open between November 18, 2023 – March 10, 2024 at Gallery 4, 5 & 6, Al Mureijah Square, Sharjah. For more details, click here.
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