THE Saturday morning of March 14 had the country’s art circle descending on the Johannesburg CBD for the opening of the exhibition, Homecoming: The Return of the Johannesburg Art Gallery Collection, at the Standard Bank Gallery.
A valuable display comprising 150 artworks from the Johannesburg Art Gallery collection which have been returned to South Africa after almost two years of touring internationally to places such as Italy, Hungary and South Korea – the exhibition is described, in a booklet supplied by the organizers, as a reflection on the notion of belonging, return and renewed visibility within the context of institutional collections and cultural memory.
It is the result of an agreement betwixt Standard Bank and the Johannesburg Art Gallery for the financial institution to temporarily house the latter’s collection by storing and displaying it – while making it more accessible and visible to a wide range of audiences, serving as a catalyst for the promotion of visual arts and heritage within the inner city.
Having previously been exclusively previewed by delegates attending the G20 Summit in November 2025, the public opening at a recently reopened venue which was a recipient of the Experts’ Choice Award in 2023, was addressed by the City of Johannesburg’s Mayor Dada Morero and the Director of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Vuyisile Mshudulu.
In attendance were guests who included the City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Community Development Thapelo Amad, artists Lady Skollie and Diane Victor, academic-cum-author-cum-artist Professor Zakes Mda, art consultant Makgati Molebatsi, the August House’s Sarah Hallatt, art specialist Gcotyelwa Mashiqa, Wits Art Museum’s Special Projects Curator, Thuso Moruthane, photographer, Roger Ballen, et al.
The bank’s theme of heritage resonated with the mayor’s speech in which he described the exhibition as a milestone for reclaiming local heritage and emphasized positioning Johannesburg as a cultural leader in Africa by building stages and creating a thriving arts economy – with him further highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships, such as with Standard Bank, to strengthen historic institutions.
“Today, we mark more than an exhibition. Homecoming signifies a significant cultural milestone for our city. It activates the Johannesburg Art Gallery during its refurbishment—keeping art visible, accessible, and vibrant within our communities,” culminated the golden city’s first citizen in his prepared speech.
(Less than 24 hours after his speech, news filtered through of his imminent recall by his party subsequent to his recent unseating from the ANC’s Johannesburg regional leadership – meaning that, as has been the case with his predecessors, he won’t be around to see to the conclusion of the JAG’s protracted revitalization.)
Such an untimely disruption points to the sort of bureaucratic intransigence which has resulted in JAG and its valuable artworks rendered into a decrepit state and prompting it to have its treasure trove to be relocated to temporary and unsuitable venues such as the Johannesburg Library – much to the chagrin of stakeholders such as the Friends of JAG.
An NGO which over the years has, inter alia, advocated for the revitalisation of the gallery and the preservation of its collection, its director, renowned fashion designer Marianne Fassler, couldn’t hide her disillusionment with the ructions affecting the Joubert Park venue’s existence, during a walkabout of the display.
Also unwittingly singing from the same hymn was the mayor’s CoJ colleague, Mshudulu, who indicated a broader commitment to restoring the entire downtown area, not just the gallery itself – and further called on the media and officials to collaborate in raising awareness and preserving the city’s heritage.
The exhibition is co-curated by JAG’s Chief Curator Khwezi Gule and Standard Bank Gallery’s Manager Dr. Same Mdluli.
It features works ranging from European artists such as Pablo Picasso, Francois Auguste Rene Rodin, Francis Bacon, et al – to South African colossals such as Irma Stern, Alexis Preller, Gerard Sekoto, William Kentridge, et al.
Additionally, also featured are contemporary works of the ilk of the deaf artist Tommy Motswai and photographer Santu Mofokeng.
Despite the different points of view and drama surrounding the show’s return, it is impressionable enough to pay a visit and its curators have lined up events which will ensure it remains in the public’s purview, in the form of a public walkabout on March 28th; a school’s educational programme on June 28th; a catalogue launch on July 2nd; university seminars on 6th – 9th September; and a panel discussion on October 1st.
Located at corner Simmonds and Frederick streets in the Joburg CBD, the Standard Bank Gallery’s opening days & times run from Monday – Friday (08:00 – 16:30) to Saturday (09:00 – 13:00).
Entrance to the exhibition is free and it’ll run until October 31st, 2026.
All images Jacob MAWELA (Vuyisile Mshudulu, director of the City of Johannesburg’s Arts & Culture, limned addressing the audience during the opening of the Homecoming exhibition at the Standard Bank Gallery in Johannesburg).
