An exhibition not to be missed

From June 5 to 26, 2019, UJ Arts and Culture celebrates excellence in the fine art of curatorship with Annali Cabano-Dempsey’s long-term curatorship of the UJ Art Gallery, in the introspective exhibition “21 Years of Curating the Cube,” that spans her 21 years of exhibitions.

During her two decades of curatorship, Cabano-Dempsey has welcomed art across the board, from the fine art of drawing and painting, sculpture and ceramics to the more fleeting performance art, installation art and visual poetry. Over the years she has taken the audience on a journey rich in themes from human rights, democracy and gender politics to the relationship between art and music, personal narratives and the fragility of life.

In acknowledging the role Cabano-Dempsey has played in the gallery, “21 Years of Curating the Cube” celebrates the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) continued role in supporting and embracing the diversity of art in South Africa.

As the UJ Art Gallery’s sixth curator, Cabano-Dempsey has seen the gallery emerge as one of Johannesburg’s foremost art centres. The UJ Art Gallery (formerly Rand Afrikaans University) opened in the 1960s and has since hosted numerous temporary exhibitions and acted as custodian of a large collection of artwork.

Under Cabano-Dempsey, and with the unwavering support of the University of Johannesburg,  the gallery has featured a broad range of exhibitions ranging from established artists and mid-term artists on their way to successful careers, to student exhibitions, various collaborations with corporate partners and cultural organisations as well as national art competitions.

“The remarkable backing of artists and audiences alike is so heartening – they sustained this gallery with their constant involvement, creativity and curiosity.  After all these years, it is still gratifying to find challenges and excitement in each exhibition; to reflect on the ways a mere cube could accommodate the fluctuations of a rapidly changing world, and to experience the blessing of being surrounded by fascinating minds,” said Cabano-Dempsey.

Although she has been closely involved with a wide spectrum of artists forming part of the annual exhibition’s programmes for more than two decades, she chose to hand over the curatorship of “21 Years of Curating the Cube” to arts writer and author Johan Myburg. They have worked closely together in choosing the 38 works that will be on display, but the final decisions have rested with him. He has looked both to the collection and to the various artists who have exhibited in the space. In a telling statement to Cabano-Dempsey’s tenure, artists have welcomed the opportunity to participate in the exhibition or to produce new pieces for the exhibition. 

“The exhibition really centres around Annali, and takes the audience on a walk down memory lane. She has worked with so many artists and often helped burgeon their careers by giving them the opportunity to exhibit. This is a celebration of her role in the visual art landscape,” said Myburg.

“21 Years of Curating the Cube” runs from June 5 to 26, 2019, at the UJ Art Gallery. Entrance is free.