“Striking back: Gandhi and the Rebellions of 1913”

Opening talk by Dr. Ashwin Desai

Underhanded politics are not a recent development. Investigating the build-up to the strikes of 1913 involved all South Africans. From white railway workers striking in 1912, white mineworkers withdrawing their labour in 1913, 9,000 black workers striking for 3 days in 1913, and women marching from Johannesburg crossing over the border into Newcastle.

As a lead up to this exhibition the invited artists were involved in a visual presentation about the subject of the 1913 Strike with well-known authors and lecturers Dr. Ashwin Desai and Goolam Vahed.  The artists were also given a synopsis document, by Dr. Ashwin Desai and Goolam Vahed, expounding on the history of these strikes and Gandhi’s role.

This exhibition is intended to commemorate the 100 years since the 1913 strike in South Africa and also to highlight the history of this country and its relevance with politics today. The project will culminate in the publication of a book on the strikes in late 2013.

Some of the participating artists are: Nanda Soobben, Andrew Verster, Grace Kotze, Mhlonishwa Chiliza, Amy-Jean Muller, Nivesh Rawatlal, Rob Domijan, Julie Mayo, Hannah Lurie, Pamela Benporath, Skullboy, Dane Knudsen, Glynn Erasmus, George Holloway, Bongumenzi Ngobese, Karen Bradtke,  Camilla Kinnear, and Modise Tim Motsomi.

Closing 13 April 2013

Nanda Soobben

George Holloway

Mhlo Chiliza

Skullboy

Rob Domijan