Remarks by the Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashatile at the opening of the "In Context" exhibition

It gives me great pleasure to speak at this the opening of the In Context art exhibition. Forming part of this exhibition, are some of South Africa's and the world's most accomplished and distinguished artists who, through their work, will engage with a number of pressing questions about space, context and geography.

This exhibition will afford an opportunity to South African artists and the public at large to dialogue with their African and international counterparts on issues relevant to them.

More specifically, this exhibition provides a platform for our artist to explore in some detail the complex concept of "home" as it relates to identity, belonging and acceptance.

It is therefore significant that this exhibition is taking place in the City of Johannesburg, which in many ways represents a melting pot for diverse cultures.

It is also significant that we open this important exhibition at the Arts on Main, which is the hub for Johannesburg's creative community to develop and share ideas.

This place, where we are gathered, forms part of initiatives aimed at rejuvenating the Johannesburg City centre, proving once more that art has an important role to play in the reconstruction and development of our country.

Art, especially contemporary art, creates a platform for constructive engagement and dialogue among people regardless of their race, culture and class backgrounds, allowing for the shifting of consciousness and a better understanding of each other.

I am told that during the programme for this exhibition, questions such as 'what does it mean to be a local artist in this age of the global village?' will be raised.

Do African artists wish to continue speaking of context? How do artists of the African Diaspora reflect on their distance from and proximity to home? Where is home? Have we reached a point in the story of contemporary art in which the term "African artist" can be dispensed with? To what extent does the global art market rely upon or exploit the term "to sell art in Europe and North America?" Is there a distinction to be made between the way in which African artists represent themselves and the "Western" reception of contemporary art from Africa?

Programme director, there is no better time to raise these pertinent questions than now when South African and the African continent is preparing to host the world for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Indeed, we hope that the conversations and engagements resulting from this exhibition will also be enriched by those who would have come to our country for the world cup.

We note with appreciation that the partners in this project intend to begin collaborations that can be sustained beyond this exhibition. We are also told that efforts are underway to reach a wider audience than the usual gallery visitors and to promote appreciation of art outside of the traditional gallery space. This can only enhance our stated mission as the Department of Arts and Culture: that of promoting arts for all.
We applaud the organisers of this exhibition for also placing a strong emphasis on social responsibility.

This is particularly important as the country has spent lots of resources towards the 2010 FIFA World Cup and that there is an urgent need to ensure that our people, especially the previously disadvantaged, also benefit from the world cup and its related activities.

I wish, on behalf of the organisers, to thank the Goethe-Institute, the French Institute of South Africa and all those who have made this exhibition possible. Your contribution towards the success of this project will go a long way towards enhancing the role of arts in the development of our society.

I wish all of you success during this exhibition. May the exhibition achieve its objectives.

Thank you.

Source: Department of Arts and Culture