Charles Darwin visited Cape Town in 1836 on the HMS Beagle and Art@Africa Gallery has an exhibition titled The Art of Evolution/The Evolution of Art that will be opened by Andrew Darwin, his great, great grandson. This plus the unveiling of a bust of Charles Darwin in Simon’s Town, the arrival in Cape Town and moving to Simonstown of the and other events is what Prof Mike Bruton and Art@Africa’s Dirk Durnez will be highlighting on the Sanlam Arts Round Up.
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The Art of Evolution/The Evolution of Art was a project that Dirk undertook when approached by his friend Mike Bruton who was working on the Darwin 200 Project. The exhibition evolved into a wonderful group exhibition of work by the gallery’s artists and guest artists with the focus on Darwin’s theory of evolution. Some artists believe in the theory and others don’t. As Dirk points out, art is about freedom of speech and to provoke personal perspectives.
The exhibition will be opened by Darwin’s great, great grandson Andrew Darwin, with the Consul General of Belgium also being present. The time is 6:00pm at Art@Africa Gallery, on the 1st floor of the Clocktower Centre in the Silo District of the V&A Waterfront.
Kobus Walker, A Curious Mind
As part of the Darwin 200 Project, the 108 year old tall ship Oosterschelde, which has been following Darwin’s circumnavigation of the globe, arrived in Cape Town and is moving across to Simon’s Town Harbour, his original port of call. The Oosterschelde will be there for the unveiling ceremony on Sunday 20th. You can visit the Oosterschelde. There will be two ferries, leaving from the jetty, on Sunday 20th between 10:00 and 13:00 – no bookings required, first come, first served,
Oosterschelde
The uveiling of the bust of Charles Darwin takes place on Sunday 20 April at 2:00pm at Simon’s Town Harbour. The Cape Town sculptor is Johan Steyn. It portrays the young 27 old Darwin. The Executive Mayor of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis, will be doing the honours.
Sculptor Johan Steyn
There will also be two performances of the specially commissioned play Darwin A Curious Mind on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 April in Simon’s Town.
LOTS happening in the Mother City that focuses on the significance of Charles Darwin and his visit to Cape Town! Circumnavigate Cape Town and ENJOY!
WHAT: The Art of Evolution/The Evolution of Art
WHERE: Art@Africa Gallery, The Clocktower Centre, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town 8001
WHEN:Â opening 6.00 pm Thursday 24 April | Closing 25 June 2025
INFO: T +27 ())82 774 1078 | E artatafricafestival@gmail.com |  VISIT  | See also The Darwin Trail which maps the route he took from Simon’s Town to Cape Town and beyond between 31 May and 18 June 1836
The WHAT, WHY & WHERE of the
arts scene in around Cape Town
see the 2025 art craft + museums map
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Arts Round Up Fridays @17:30
on Fine Music Radio FMR 101.3fm
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Another reason Cape Town is placed 3rd in Time Out’s World’s Best Cities for Culture!
