Franschhoek’s Boschendal teams up with Norval Art Foundation

Posted by Anita Froneman on 13 December 2021

By Bianca Preusker

Boschendal Wine Estate and the Norval Art Foundation have launched a brand new collaboration, providing one more reason to visit the historic farm. Tour guide and writer Bianca Preusker found good reason to be impressed.

Credit: Michael le Grange

I’ve always enjoyed wandering down Boschendal’s magnificent avenue of oak trees, letting my imagination drift through layers of history and the stories of people who lived and worked there over the years. And that path leads right to the open doors of the classic Manor House, which has recently been meticulously restored and now houses a rotating contemporary art exhibition hosted by the Norval Art Foundation.

Credit: Michael le Grange

The new collaboration will introduce visitors to some of the continent’s top artists, as well as reenergise both Manor House and the larger estate.

The launch exhibition is from an ongoing photographic series by celebrated visual activist Zanele Muhole. Somnyama Ngonyama (‘Hail, the Dark Lioness’) is on view until March 2022.

Muhole’s work needs little introduction. The Durban-born artist shot to fame in 2004 with Visual Sexuality, her contribution to the Urban Life exhibition at the Johannesburg Art Gallery. “Monumental and full of grace,” says Laura Cumming, of Tate Modern in London of Zanele’s photographs. “The exquisite images of South Africa’s LGBT and township communities are a magnificent act of solidarity.”

The Norval Boschendal collaboration has been long in the making. Boschendal’s historic atmosphere provides an interesting contrast to the contemporary art on display. And it’s popularity will make the art available to mere mortals and art connoisseurs alike.

Credit: Mike Hall

“The combination of Boschendal’s rich cultural heritage and the Norval Foundation’s unparalleled access to contemporary African art will create an extraordinary experience for all our guests,” says Georgie Davidson, CEO at Boschendal. “We are proud to introduce this unique showcase blending history, art and innovation, and look forward to welcoming guests from all over the world to our historic farm to join us in celebrating inspiring South African and African creative talent.”

Credit: Mike Hall

The Norval Foundation was founded in 2018 and has established itself as a centre for the research, education and exhibition of 20th and 21st-century visual art from South Africa and beyond.

Boschendal, one of the country’s largest and oldest wine estates, is on the Helshoogte Road between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Accommodation, wine, a farm shop, restaurants, a children’s programme and estate tours recommend it.

For more information, visit www.boschendal.com or www.norvalfoundation.org

Manor House admission is free, as is general access to Boschendal.

Now to convince Boschendal to put a lick of paint on those sneaky speed bumps…

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