Gauteng Premier David Makhura recently visited the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture to view a 38m long painting by Chinese artist Li Bin entitled A Salute to Mandela.
“Li Bin’s massive artwork [on Mandela’s life] represents the viewpoint of a dispassionate participant,” said Makhura.
The Premier moved casually along the depiction of Nelson Mandela’s life as a prisoner, president and peacemaker.
“Art is about interpretation,” Makhura joked with the academic entourage. He shared anecdotes of what he could recall from some of the historical events portrayed in the painting which took the renowned Chinese artist almost two years to complete.
Makhura commented, “This is a very impressive work. The story of Mandela has been told by many people in many different ways. Looking at it from an artist’s point of view is a very refreshing representation, and quite impactful.
“Li Bin has told the Mandela story in a way that it hasn’t been told before. Many people who have been part of Mandela’s life – including those of us who worked with him in the 90s when he came out of prison – would not have told this story this way,” said Makhura.
The Premier voiced insight on supporting the arts stating that post-apartheid residents are not paying enough attention to the role of art in society, including investing in the arts.
“I think sometimes we are investing too much in the concrete and mortar of life, but human beings need more than that. Arts and culture and the spiritual is a very important part of what we are.”
He said he hoped younger generations of South Africa can represent the reality and aspirations of a new future in a way that writing and speeches cannot do.
“They must help us to present the vision of where we want to be in the language of art,” he concluded.
