The Constitutional Court Art Collection’s (CCAC) highly anticipated travelling exhibition, A LUTA CONTINUA, is now on display at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts (KZNSA) Gallery in Durban. This retrospective showcase offers the public a chance to experience the vibrant intersection of art, law, and history, which sits at the heart of the South African story. This exhibition features a curated selection of pieces from the Constitutional Court’s historic collection.
The exhibition is titled: A LUTA CONTINUA: Reflecting on 30 years of democracy through the Constitutional Court Art Collection. The CCAC is renowned for housing one of South Africa’s most culturally significant art collections, documenting the nation’s ongoing journey of navigating democracy, reconciliation, and social justice. Founded in 1994, the Collection serves as a living archive, reflecting the values enshrined in our nation’s Constitution. This travelling exhibition is part of a broader mission to share both the collection and its message with a wider audience, allowing citizens and visitors from across the country to engage with proudly South African works of art, exploring themes of equality, freedom, dignity, and justice.
The Collection is usually housed within South Africa’s Constitutional Court building in Johannesburg, and was conceived as an innovative project to celebrate South Africa’s cultural heritage and artistic excellence. The collection was born out of a desire to represent the spirit of the nation’s post-apartheid Constitution visually, and cast a focus on human rights. Over the years, it has grown to include works by leading South African and international artists, such as Thomas Mulcair, Jan Jordaan and Siphiwe Zulu; promoting a dialogue and challenging audiences’ understanding of our nation’s journey.
According to the Constitutional Court Trust (CCT), which manages the collection, it started when artists began donating their artworks in celebration of “the birth of a new era.” The pieces reflect personal and societal struggles, encouraging viewers to reflect on the country’s tumultuous past while inspiring them to imagine a future rooted in justice and equality.
A LUTA CONTINUA was launched in June 2024 at the 50th edition of the National Arts Festival to celebrate 30 years of post-apartheid democracy in South Africa. It brings the exhibition’s themes to life by offering a closer look at the diverse array of mediums, styles, and narratives that make up the CCAC.
Durban’s KZNSA Gallery serves as a fitting venue. Their vision to, “be a highly-regarded contemporary art space that engages its complex and diverse community with socially relevant concepts for the support and development of artists and culture production,” aligns with the values enshrined in the collection.
The city’s historical and cultural significance within South Africa’s political landscape, particularly in the context of anti-apartheid activism, makes it an ideal stop for this national tour. Durban has long been the meeting point for a wide variety of cultural, racial and political beliefs, which resonates with the exhibition’s themes of diversity and inclusivity.
The KZNSA Gallery itself has a rich history of promoting innovative and thought-provoking exhibitions, often encouraging public dialogue on critical issues. By hosting the CCAC’s travelling exhibition, the gallery continues its tradition of presenting works that not only appeal to art enthusiasts but also engage communities in meaningful conversations.
The Durban leg of the travelling exhibition will run until late November 2024, after which it will move on to other provinces across South Africa. The Constitutional Court Trust has expressed immense pride in the exhibition’s reception so far, noting that the collection has resonated with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
The Trust has also hinted at future plans to expand the travelling exhibition, potentially including international stops to share South Africa’s unique constitutional journey with the global community. In the meantime, the exhibition continues to inspire and challenge South Africans to engage with the country’s Constitution and the ideals it represents.
For those interested in visiting, the CCAC travelling exhibition at the KZNSA Gallery in Durban is free and open to the public. It offers a rare opportunity to engage with art that plays a pivotal role in shaping South Africa’s legal and cultural identity. The exhibition is available to the public until Saturday, 9 November, with a closing weekend walkabout hosted by former Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs.
