The publication showcases a selection of the top artworks both historical and contemporary as reflected in the university’s collection. A smaller sample of these works will be on display at the galleries presenting art lovers with a glimpse of the broad spectrum of artists represented in this corporate collection. This collection was initiated when the first rector of the old PU for CHE (Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education), Prof. Ferdinand Postma formed a Commission for Art Affairs in 1932; where after an annual budget of £6 was to be allocated for the purchase of artworks.

Today this collection has grown to an amount of more than one thousand artworks, making the NWU the home of the largest historical and contemporary collection in the North-West Province. Artists include Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, Maggie Laubser, Bettie Cilliers-Barnard, Jo Roos, Judith Mason, George Boys, Robert Hodgens and Christo Coetzee. More recent acquisitions include works by Hanneke Benadé, Pauline Gutter, Stompie Selibe, Kim Berman, Barbara Wildenboer, Diane Victor, Gordon Froud as well as international artists Paul Boulitreau, Christophe Miralles and Fabien Claude.

The launch and coinciding exhibition opening event will take place on Thursday, 15 August, commencing at 17:30 in the Botanical Garden Gallery and 19:00 at the NWU Gallery. The exhibition ends on Friday, 13 September.

“This is a great milestone for us, as we have been working towards this goal for many years,” says curator of the NWU Gallery, Christina Naurattel. “Through the publication of this book we hope to open our collection by making it more accessible to the public. Furthermore this publication will ensure that we can generate a research opportunity which in turn makes our collection a working collection. This would be a great leap forward for our gallery as part of an academic institution.”

In working towards this goal the publication includes essays by high-esteemed figures within the art industry, including Dr. Lydia de Waal, curator of the Sasol Museum at the University of Stellenbosch, as well as NWU academic staff such as Prof. John Botha, Dr. Rita Swanepoel, Louisemarie Combrink and Richardt Strydom.

This event will be hosted at the NWU Gallery and the NWU Botanical Garden Gallery on the Potchefstroom Campus of the NWU. NWU Gallery Potchefstroom Campus, Building E7, Hoffman Street, Potchefstroom & NWU Botanical Gardens, Botanical Gardens Art Gallery, Calderbak street, Potchefstroom. Enquiries can be directed to the NWU Gallery at 018 299 4341 or via email to [email protected]. Gallery Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 10:00 to 16:00. Tickets are R70 per person and can be bought from the Heimat-building (PUK-Atrs) or via www.artema.co.za. Tickets go on sale on Monday, 29 July.