Exhibition of art marking 30 years since the end of apartheid to open at UEA
By: Communications
An exhibition of artworks marking 30 years since the end of apartheid will see linocuts and cartoons by South African illustrator and cartoonist Norman Kaplan on display in the Enterprise Centre on the UEA campus from 30 September – 18 October.
Norman Kaplan was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in 1947 and studied at the local Technical College School of Art. In 1977 he left for London where he lived in exile for 14 years, working as a graphic designer and filmmaker whilst producing works that protested apartheid.
On display at the Enterprise Centre will be several linocuts by Kaplan including ‘All Shall be Afforded Dignity’, which was produced to celebrate the new constitution of a new democratic South Africa in 1996 and which is engraved in the window of South Africa’s Constitutional Court. Also on show will be cartoons, designs and drawings Kaplan created in the UK as a contribution to the liberation struggle.
Many of these works were published anonymously in journals and newspapers such as Sechaba, the monthly mouthpiece of the African National Congress, The African Communist, the South African Communist Party’s quarterly journal, and its newspaper Umsebenzi.
These publications were distributed clandestinely in apartheid South Africa, passed from hand to hand and deemed ‘dangerous and subversive’ by an apartheid-era judge. Kaplan’s cartoons, viewed alongside his lino-prints, invite visitors to the exhibition to explore and re-engage with the spirit and values of the liberation struggle 30 years on.
Apartheid was a system of entrenched racial segregation in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. Significantly, this system of white supremacy was challenged throughout its existence - both within South Africa and around the world. The international anti-apartheid movement was one of the most significant, and ultimately successful, human rights struggles of the twentieth century.
Dr. Nicholas Grant, Associate Professor of International History at UEA, said:
“UEA has been involved in several research projects exploring the history and legacy of the anti-apartheid movement in Britain and we’ve been working with the Liliesleaf Trust to develop a series of lesson plans for secondary school students exploring South African history and the anti-apartheid movement.
“Kaplan’s prints and cartoons were an important part of the anti-apartheid struggle, and we are excited to be able to bring his work to Norwich to share it with new audiences and celebrate thirty years since the end of apartheid.”
UEA has been involved in several collaborations with The Liliesleaf Trust UK who are currently working to build 'The Anti-Apartheid Legacy: Centre of Memory and Learning', a new museum dedicated to anti-apartheid and the international solidarity struggle on the site of the ANC’s offices in London.
Caroline Kamana, Director, The Liliesleaf Trust UK, said: “This exhibition powerfully conveys the indignities of life under apartheid and the enduring strength of resistance. Art's ability to communicate profound messages reminds us to remain vigilant in protecting human rights. Although apartheid ended only 30 years ago, its shadows persist. This exhibition is a call to action, inspiring us to stand against ongoing injustice."
The exhibition will also explore the history and impact of the anti-apartheid movement in the UK and is part of a national programme of events to commemorate 30 years since the end of apartheid. The exhibition will be accompanied by talks, performances and workshops with local school children in Norwich across the month of September.
Norman Kaplan: All Shall be Afforded Dignity has been created by the Anti-Apartheid Movement Archives, Action for Southern Africa, and the Anti-Apartheid Legacy: Centre of Memory & Learning in collaboration with Nicholas Grant, Associate Professor of International History at UEA. The version of the exhibition on display at UEA has been curated by JMC Anderson, an Artist, Community Curator and Facilitator based in Norfolk and produced in collaboration with CreativeUEA.
His Excellency Jeremiah Kingsley Mamabolo, South African High Commissioner to the UK and Northern Ireland, said:
“The aim of the 30th anniversary programme in the UK is to allow us to reflect, explore and re-engage with the spirit of 1994 – the road to 1994 was long, painful, but travelled in solidarity. In 2024, we can reflect on the lessons we learned and review how we can continue together to build the South Africa and the world we all want to see.
“I am excited to be able to commemorate this anniversary year with this important exhibition engaging us with head and heart on the power of art to inspire action, build solidarity, and to call to account injustices wherever they are found.”
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