Publications
Partners
Professor Emeritus Anitra Nettleton, the curator of the landmark art exhibition Black Modernisms in South Africa (1940 – 1990) at the Wits Art Museum has responded to criticism that she sidelined the black curators officially collaborating with her and assisting her with the show.
The debate was generated by our art critic Lwandile Fikeni in a piece called Black Modernisms and White Saviours in which one of the black curators, Dr Same Mdluli, raised concerns about omissions on the show, her minimised role in curating a showcase of black South African art history, and the lack of transformation in the art academy.
Fellow curator Bongani Mahlangu wrote a letter supporting her view.
But Professor Nettleton has now responded to the curators and Fikeni, supporting their call for transformation and pointing out certain issues that she feels have not been fairly or accurately reflected by Fikeni, Mdluli and Mahlangu.
Here is her letter to City Press:
