Taking its title from the Thomas Mulcaire 2003 light artwork, now permanently installed in the Constitutional Court’s foyer, this CCAC exhibition explores the interconnectedness of art and justice, human rights and democracy, at this key moment in South Africa’s history and future.
The CCAC is a unique collection with an unusual history symbolised by what Justice Albie Sachs calls ‘an intense longing for human justice’. Arguably, there is no other art collection in post-apartheid South Africa that more evocatively captures the spirit of a nation moving from racist oppression to realising a progressive constitutional democracy. Like the Constitution of South Africa that was signed into law in 1996, the CCAC is, in many ways, emblematic of the country’s aspirations for human rights, liberty and dignity for all within a constitutional democracy.
Shortly after democracy came to South Africa and the Constitution came into effect thereafter, artists donated the artworks to celebrate the birth of a new era. They did so with overwhelming generosity, in the spirit of the Constitution. Under the spirited guidance of Justices Yvonne Mokgoro and Albie Sachs, the architects, and various artists working with them created the court building, now recognised as uniquely blending themes of justice with contemporary architecture, integrated art and adornment.
Today the Constitutional Court, a landmark building with heritage status, together with the publicly accessible art collection it both embodies and houses, provides a vivid symbol of the rule of law and social justice in South Africa. This will be the first comprehensive showing of the CCAC beyond its home at the Constitutional Court in
Johannesburg.
Book to join a hosted walkabout – all walkabouts will begin at the ground floor alcoves of the Monument.
22 June: Hosted by Catherine Kennedy, manager of the Constitutional Court Trust
27 June: Hosted by Justice Albie Sachs, with Catherine Kennedy
29 June: Hosted by Justice Albie Sachs, with Catherine Kennedy
Artist Biography
Developed by Catherine Kennedy, with the current curatorial team of the Constitutional Court Trust (CCT), this exhibition draws on the collective words, wisdom and creativity of the many who have contributed to the development of the CCAC. This exhibition is intended to inform and stimulate discussion about the intersection between art, justice and democracy.
The Constitutional Court Art Collection (CCAC) is owned, managed and cared for by the Constitutional Court Trust, a non-profit organisation established soon after South Africa's transition to democracy. The CCT exists to promote human rights, the rule of law, constitutionalism and judicial independence in the African region - with a special focus on the Constitutional Court of South Africa. It does so through artistic expression, legal scholarship and exchange programmes, public education and library initiatives.
The exhibition, and related programmes and publications, is funded and supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Ford Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, the Foundation for Society, Law and Art in South Africa, and the French Institute of South Africa.
Credits
Prepared by Catherine Kennedy, April 2024
- Monument Spaces
- Monument Building
- Daily during the Festival 09:00 to 17:00
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Daily entry to the exhibitions is free. The scheduled walkabouts have a minimal cost and booking is essential.
