By Nangamso Mabindla
13 October 2006

BUFFALO City's art lovers rubbed shoulders with politicians at the opening of the MTN Messages and Meanings exhibition at the Ann Bryant Art Gallery on Thursday, 12 October.

One of the biggest exhibitions to be staged in the city this year, it closes on 6 November. The exhibition, comprising only a small percentage of MTN's collection, showcases works by some of Africa's most exciting artists. It also pays tribute to one of the city's brightest talents, Sabelo Bunu, whose work is included in the exhibition. Bunu died in 2004.

Premier Nosimo Balindlelo, Buffalo City councillor Val Veljoen, MTN representatives, the Bunu family and Bunu's sister, the MEC for health in North West Province, Nomonde Rasmeni, attended the opening.

Philippa Hobbs, the MTN art collection curator, said it was the first time that the cellphone company was taking an exhibition around the country on its own. "Previously we would be part of an exhibition and would not bring as many art works as we would in our own exhibition. We have brought a hundred and our collection is almost 1 400," she said.

These works were grouped into different sections depicting all walks of life. "You will find that the theme differs from room to room. In some rooms we have grouped artworks that talk about identity; others are narrative, some spiritual messages and other works [are] on proclamation and resistance."

One of the main attractions was a piece on identity, Diary of a Victorian dandy, by Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare. "Shonibare now lives in London and with this piece he was showing how an African tries to fit in with the English surroundings. It's a beautiful piece of work," Hobbs explained.

Other beautiful pieces included Bunu's Sacrifice and Amandla ilizwe i-Africa by Thomas Nkuna. Some of the works were cryptic, where an artist gave clues with holes, thus keeping the viewer guessing. "Nkuna's piece shows the action during the apartheid days when the police would fight with township people. In [it] the people seem to be winning the battle."

For Hobbs, an exciting aspect of Messages and Meanings was the educational programme. It runs for the duration of the exhibition.

"I have a team of 14 students from the Walter Sisulu University and the Buffalo City FET College who will be trained on being guides to learners from the city's disadvantaged schools. We hope that the training these students receive will be channeled down to these high school learners so that they take an interest in art," she explained.

Another highlight of the opening was the launch of a book, also called Messages and Meanings, consisting of a series of illustrated essays by leading writers, art historians and curators. "This book will be available here at the art gallery for R500 – this is below the retail price. We will also have it in municipal libraries and university libraries."

For more information about the exhibition and the educational programme, contact the Ann Bryant Art Gallery on 043 722 4044 or visit the gallery at 9 St Marks Road, Belgravia, East London.