Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, Rustenburgkloof, oil on canvas

Oliewenhuis Art Museum is still a relatively young museum even by South African standards. Since its establishment in 1989, the Museum has shown a steady and interesting growth in its collection. The Permanent Collection, which is frequently rearranged, is housed on the first floor and is devoted exclusively to works produced by South African artists. It has a solid foundation of early South African artists, and includes works by Thomas Baines, Jan Ernst Volschenk, Pieter Wenning, Jacob Hendrik Pierneef and Willem Coetzer. The Museum is still in the fortunate position to be able to continually expand on its collection of contemporary South African artists.

A considerable number of works have been acquired through donations and bequests; outstanding among these is a collection of works from the City Council of Bloemfontein. This collection, which was ceded to Oliewenhuis Art Museum in 1989, together with artworks from the National Museum’s Permanent Collection, formed the nucleus for the future Art Museum worthy of the Free State Provincial capital.

Twenty four works (two from each of the twelve members of the Bloemfontein Group), referred to as the F.P. Scott Trust, were held in trust by Mrs. Dora Scott (art lover and Honorary Curator of Oliewenhuis) with the understanding that as soon as Bloemfontein could boast a Provincial Art Museum these works would be donated to that institution.

This collection, which includes works by Marianne and Alexander Podlashuc, Father Frans Claerhout, Stefan and Iris Amenberger and Mike Edwards, was officially handed over to Oliewenhuis Art Museum on 22 March 1988. This collection, which has a predominantly regional flavour, is a manifestation not only to the Group’s commitment and contribution to art in the Free State, but also of the meaningful contribution these artists made to the establishment of Oliewenhuis Art Museum in Bloemfontein.

In addition, a large collection of works donated by the Haenngi Foundation (as a result of the demise of the Pelindaba Museum of African and Modern Art (PELMAMA)) has assisted the Museum in building a core collection representing works of some of South Africa’s most celebrated artists.

Museums countrywide are finding it more and more difficult to source funds to acquire works of art. Publicly supported organisations such as the Friends of Oliewenhuis and Fractal (an ad-hoc committee of the Friends of Oliewenhuis) are becoming more and more important in raising funds to sustain the Museum’s ability to maintain the growth of the collection. With their support, the Museum has over the past few years been in the position to acquire some major works to complement its collection.

PELMAMA Catalogue