Wits Art Museum

An amazingly curated museum, the Wits Art Museum, fondly referred to as WAM, hosts a stunning collection of contemporary and traditional African art. It’s located in a bright and airy space and feels relatively undiscovered. My favorite piece was Sam Nhlengethwa’s “It left him cold”, a tribute to the death of Steve Biko. Definitely put this on your list.

I got a sneek preview today of the new facility for WAM (the art museum of the University of the Witwatersrand). The opening gala is this Wednesday. A great space with the best collection of African art. they have over 10,000 pieces, about 300 of which will be on display. This image is of a portion of Jackson Hlungwane’s Women’s Altar to God. Join AFAR Experiences in South Africa this fall.

Museum curator, Fiona Rankin Smith, will guide you through the world’s leading collection of African art. Fiona has been at the museum for over 25 years and personally led the effort to develop this beautiful facility, which just opened in May. Fiona will bring the collection and history to life as she tells you the stories behind the ancient and contemporary works on display.

While visiting the newly opened Wits Art Museum in Johannesburg with Afar Experiences, I was immersed in a touching exhibit showing various images from the Apartheid years. Looking into the eyes of this man I was drawn into his desperation. That is until my eye was drawn to the calendar hanging in the upper right hand corner. No level of poverty can keep a man from his most basic needs. Hugh Hefner would be proud!