A series of five famous South African artworks, with superimposed face masks, have been displayed around Stellenbosch as part of an initiative by Stellenbosch University (SU) to raise funds for students impacted by Covid-19.
The artworks, titled ‘Masked Masterpieces’, were erected on 7 August and will be on display until December, according to Pieter Swart, director of Major Gifts and Transformational Giving, at the Development and Alumni Relations Division (DAR).
Five famous South African artworks, with superimposed face masks, have been displayed around Stellenbosch, as part of an initiative by Stellenbosch University (SU) to raise funds for students impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. PHOTO: Supplied/Pieter Swart
The ‘missing middle’
Snapscan contribution codes, which can be used to donate towards the SU’s initiative to support students in the “missing middle” category, are displayed on plaques accompanying each artwork, said Swart.
According to Swart, the “missing middle” refers to students from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at SU, who do not qualify for state financial aid but whose families have been severely impacted by the pandemic.
“It’s the group of students that aren’t supported by [the] government, but many of their parents and guardians do not have the funding now, as a result of the pandemic,” said Swart.
The installations have been funded entirely by the private sector, said Swart.
“There are five artworks that have been selected specifically and we then got companies, such as Investec and Strauss & Co, to sponsor each of the works,” he said.
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- South African artist Gerard Sekoto’s, “The Senegal Woman”, forms part of Stellenbosch University’s art installations around Stellenbosch to raise funds for students impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. IMAGE: Supplied/Pieter Swart
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- South African artist Irma Stern’s, “The Initiate”, is one of five artworks that form part of Stellenbosch University’s ‘Masked Masterpieces’ initiative to raise funds for students impacted by Covid-19. IMAGE: Supplied/Pieter Swart
#WearAMask and promote the art
According to Swart, the art installation falls in line with SU’s awareness campaign for wearing masks.
“The initiative aims to promote the wearing of masks, while also promoting the town of Stellenbosch and South African art in the process,” said Swart.
Stellenbosch Municipality fully supports this initiative, said Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager at Stellenbosch Municipality.
“These ‘Masked Masterpieces’ don’t only bring some colour and magnificent public art to our town, but they also encourage the wearing of a mask in public,” said Grobbelaar.
According to Swart, the initiative has also been supported by SU students.
“I think they’re beautiful,” said SU student, Megan Grobbelaar. “I think it’s a very clever way of raising funds and a striking statement to the unprecedented times we currently find ourselves in.”