Sarah Baartman exhibition

The Saartjie Baartman sculpture by Willie Bester will take centre stage at an exhibition, Sarah Baartman – A Call to Respond, set to run from 20 September at the Ritchie Gallery.

Hosted by the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Works of Art Committee (WOAC), the show recognises the sculpture as one of the most important works currently in the university’s collection, says committee member Professor Alta Steenkamp.

Bester’s work will be exhibited with a sound installation featuring a poem by Diane Ferris that inspired it, alongside images of the sculpture when it was robed while still on display at the Chancellor Oppenheimer library on Upper Campus, as well as other artworks that foreground continued vulnerabilities around black women.

The show is part of an ongoing dialogue and debates around the display of artworks at UCT, with the university working on creating an environment on campus that is inclusive and reflective of all cultures.

The exhibition takes place from 20 September to 4 October at the Ritchie Gallery on Hiddingh Campus. The event opens at 17:00 on 20 September, with a performance by Koleka Putuma at 17:30.