New Gallery Space Launched at Wits
by Kresta Tyler Johnson
Wits substation was launched on April 19, with the exhibition of large format photographs and a video installation by Natasha Christopher. Christopher is a member of staff at Wits School of Art.
This marks the return of a formalised exhibition space, which is a crucial component of any academic art school. The Gertrude Posel Gallery was closed in late 2002 to make room for administrative offices. In the meantime a more informal venue was created until it can be renovated and become the new Wits art gallery. This uncertain period has been detrimental to students, faculty and the larger community as a whole.
Wits is one of the pre-eminent learning institutions in South Africa and, to compete as a serious arts institution, there certainly needs to be a serious gallery venue. Let's hope substation will provide a space for people to experience the growing world of contemporary South African art production, and let's hope this will, in turn, encourage a more rapid renovation of a formalised Wits art gallery.
