Iziko Museums of South Africa is celebrating 50 years of friendship with the Friends of the Iziko South Africa National Gallery in the Company’s Garden.
Friends50, an exhibition showcasing this relationship, opened at the Iziko South African National Gallery on Sunday April 15.
It includes a curated selection of items taken from the more than 300 acquisitions which have been purchased during the course of the past 50 years by the Friends on behalf of the National Gallery.
Since 1968, the Friends of Iziko South African National Gallery has supported the Gallery through full-or-partial-funding of acquisitions, as well as a variety of educational and conservation initiatives.
In 1981, the Friends made the rather astute purchase of two etchings by the then relatively unknown William Kentridge. Originally part of the Friends Choice Collection, these were the first Kentridge’s to enter the Permanent Collection when they were accessioned by the Gallery in 1986. These works are just some of the highlights which will be on show.
Friends50 closes on Sunday November 4. For the duration of the exhibition, the Friends have a calendar of events which will focus on themes drawn from the exhibition. For more information, visit www.friendsofsang.co.za
