30 Years of Democracy through the Art of Women Artists

30 Years of Democracy through the Art of Women Artists
Constitution Hill x Bag Factory x Dr Esther Mahlangu

1 August - 31 August 2024  

Constitution Hill x Bag Factory x Dr Esther Mahlangu Constitution Hill proudly presents a celebration of Women's Month and South Africa's 30 Years of Democracy through the Art of Women Artists.

This remarkable showcase features an array of artworks by women from the Bag Factory’s permanent collection, honouring their artistic contributions and the profound impact of women in shaping our democratic nation. The Bag Factory, with its 33-year history as a pioneering contemporary visual arts organisation in Johannesburg, plays a crucial role in fostering artistic growth and cultural dialogue. By providing a supportive infrastructure for artists, including studio spaces, residency programs, and skills development workshops, the Bag Factory ensures that both emerging and established artists have the resources they need to thrive. This commitment to nurturing talent and facilitating artistic exchange has produced a diverse community of artists whose works are now celebrated internationally.

Through the Bag Factory Visiting Artists Programme, the permanent collection has come to include works by women artists from around the world, emphasising the importance of global artistic dialogue in overcoming the economic and cultural isolation imposed by anti-apartheid sanctions. This exhibition underscores the critical role of international cultural exchange in building and strengthening democracies, especially in the context of post-apartheid South Africa. Through this exchange, we celebrate the resilience, creativity, and solidarity of women artists who continue to inspire and connect us across borders.

The Bag Factory's unique artistic program combines artmaking with critical dialogue, creating an international environment ripe for experimentation and innovation, thereby enriching the South African arts landscape. This exhibition is a testament to the work of women in creating dynamic spaces where art and ideas intersect stimulating meaningful debates across cultural spaces and building a better tomorrow for all.

Furthermore, the artworks selected represent 30 Years of Democracy and reflect on themes of democracy, freedom, and women's rights. The artists on show have played a pivotal role in highlighting the importance of culture as a necessary tool towards the long-term development of women artists, preparing them to confidently make a significant new step in their professional career. The celebrated women artists in the exhibition include the likes of: Mmakgabo Mmapula Mmangankato Helen Sebidi, Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi amongst others represented in the Bag Factory’s permanent collection.

All the women in this exhibition have gone on to develop international and prize-winning careers and this exhibition is an opportunity for the talent to be showcased and celebrated at the Women’s Jail-an important site that remembers the horrors of the past, and yet embraces the promises of the future, marrying them with the reality of the present.