Oliewenhuis Art Museum cordially invites you to visit us on Friday, 21 March 2025 as South Africa is commemorating Human Rights Day under the theme: Deepening a culture of social justice and human rights.
Please join us as we aim to foster greater social cohesion, nation building and a shared national identity and celebrate the rights of all citizens as protected by our constitution. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa is premised on the values of non-racialism and non-sexism, social cohesion and nation building, tolerance, diversity and equality, aimed at protecting the rights and freedoms of all, and affirming equality between men and women and people of all races.
The history of Human Rights Day is grounded in the Sharpeville Massacre on 21 March 1960, where the apartheid police shot and killed 69 people during a peaceful protest. This massacre exposed the apartheid government’s blatant human rights violations. Human Rights Day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made for the freedoms we enjoy today and highlights the importance of respect, fairness, and equality for all.
From 10:00 to 15:00, visitors will have the opportunity to relax and engage in meaningful reflection in the museum’s tranquil surroundings.
Pack your picnic basket, bring your loved ones, and enjoy a day filled with art, entertainment, and delicious food. Stroll through our thought-provoking exhibitions, enjoy the beats from a live DJ, and savour tasty snacks and drinks available at various stalls. For children, the African Carousel is sure to be a highlight, with rides available for just R5. Don’t forget to explore the Sculpture Park and picturesque walking trails to complete your day.
Exhibitions on Display:
30 Years of Democracy: Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Freedom
Venue: Oliewenhuis Art Museum (1st floor of Main Building)
This exhibition commemorates 30 years since South Africa’s first democratic elections on 27 April 1994. It celebrates the country’s democratic journey and encourages reflection on the progress achieved while addressing the challenges that still remain. Works by notable South African artists, including Paul Emmanuel, Noria Mabasa, Amita Makan, and Cedric Nunn, invite visitors to engage in dialogue about freedom, equality, and the ongoing quest for social justice.
Venture: Exploring through ArtbankSA’s Evolving Contemporary Collection
Venue: Oliewenhuis Art Museum (Reservoir)
Venture showcases recent acquisitions and established works from ArtbankSA’s contemporary collection. This exhibition offers visitors the chance to explore the richness of South African art and the ongoing evolution of its identity, particularly in relation to the South African diaspora.
Euphoria … In Sy Gloria – a solo exhibition by Hannalie Taute
Venue: Oliewenhuis Art Museum (Annex Gallery)
Hannalie Taute’s 21st solo exhibition offers a reimagining of historical narratives through multi-media works. With vintage photographs, embroidery, and repurposed rubber inner-tubes, Taute evokes themes of memory, culture, identity, and the fleeting nature of euphoria. Her fairy-tale-inspired works challenge ideas of family, tradition, and the concept of a “happy-ever-after.”
Mythologies of Time – a solo exhibition by Simon Venter
Venue: Oliewenhuis Art Museum (Main Building)
This exhibition, Mythologies of Time, is a compelling exploration of the intersections between history, human existence, and technology. Venter, a self-taught artist, has developed a distinctive visual language over the past nine years, merging Christian iconography with diverse artistic traditions to interrogate themes of identity, spirituality, and modernity.
Sculpture Park and Cement and Mosaic Project
Venue: Oliewenhuis Art Museum (Gardens)
Visitors can also enjoy the museum’s Sculpture Park, which houses 16 sculptures by various South African artists as well as the functional sculptures created as part of the Cement and Mosaic Project.
Event Details:
- Date: Friday, 21 March 2025
- Time: 10:00 to 15:00
- Venue: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein
Oliewenhuis Art Museum is located at 16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein and is open to the public from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 17:00, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays between 09:00 and 16:00. A ramp at the entrance of the main entrance provides access for wheel chairs, while a lift provides access to the Permanent Collection display areas on the 1st floor. R10 parking fee will be charged but entrance to the museum is free.
For more information on Oliewenhuis Art Museum please contact the Museum at 078 968 4300 or oliewen@nasmus.co.za. Stay up to date by following Oliewenhuis Art Museum on Facebook, Instagram and X for all upcoming exhibitions and events.
We look forward to welcoming you to a day of reflection, unity, and celebration of our shared values of human dignity and freedom.
