Sue Williamson walks us through There’s Something I Must Tell You – an impressive retrospective exhibition curated by Andrew Lamprecht, on view at the Iziko South African National Gallery.
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Sue Williamson observes that the retrospective, There’s Something I Must Tell You, was a once in a lifetime experience to review her life and the times she has lived through, starting with work from 1978 and work completed just days before the opening of the exhibition. It’s not often that one has the opportunity to look at that range of work in one space – seeing the work and the themes all together.
The Last Supper
She started working in the 1970’s,when South Africa was a very different country. She was working with the Women’s Movement for Peace and trying to help communities being threatened with demolition and forced removals. Her work focused on Modderdam, Crossroads and then District Six. Sue refers to an installation of rubble that she had recovered from a site in District Six and had on display in the Gowlett Gallery. This was a pile a pile of doorframes, baths and other rubble she gathered from the site. Surrounding this pile were 6 chairs from the Ebrahim family in District Six, with whom she had become friendly. The work, made in 1981, was titled The Last Supper, Working on the retrospective, she called the Ebrahim family who still had those six chairs in storage. These chairs have been resurrected for a moving recreation of The Last Supper, in the Lieberman Gallery, at the end of the retrospective.
Andrew Lamprecht comments on sourcing the works for the retrospective, as many are from museums and private collections. Fortunately he was able to acquire most of the works. Sue was wonderful to work with and has an incredible archive – part is which is displayed on her CV room – her studio.
CV Room
The multiplicity of media is also noted. There are 3 video installations, 4 big installations of sculptures and assemblages, printing, drawings and even glowing coals of Empire.
There’s Something I Must Tell You – Video Installation
There’s the newly created grave of Annie Silinga. leader of the anti-apartheid movement of the 1950’s. She passed away in 1984 and Sue attended her funeral. Sue had made a metal commemorative grave cradle, which was subsequently stolen. She has remade this work for the retrospective.
R.I.P. Annie Silinga
There’s Something I Must Tell You, in fact, has a LOT to tell you! Starting life as a journalist, Sue Williamson’s career certainly took off when she turned to art to communicate and become an effective anti-apartheid activist – a brave woman in difficult times. PLEASE give yourself lots of time and several visits to cover this impressive and moving retrospective.
WHAT: Sue Williamson – There’s Something I Must Tell You
WHERE: Iziko South African National Gallery, Government Ave, Company Gardens, Cape Town 8001
WHEN:Â Opens on 22 February 2025 and runs until the end of September.
INFO: T +27 (0) 21 481 3970 |  VISIT | See also Sue Williamson – retrospective exhibition at Iziko South African National GalleryÂ
IZIKO SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL GALLERY [ A]
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