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Ibrahim Mahama engages with future artists during UFS visit

14 May 2024 | Story ANTHONY MTHEMBU | Photo Supplied

Ghanaian contemporary artist, Ibrahim Mahama, visited the Department of Fine Arts at the University of the Free State (UFS) to share insights with staff and students during his stay in the country.

Dr Adelheid Von Maltitz, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Fine Arts at the UFS, highlighted the significance of Mahama’s visit which took place from 21 to 28 March 2024, marking the first instance of such interaction between a Fine Arts department in South Africa and Mahama. She remarked, “It is truly astounding that a person of his calibre dedicated time to focus on our department, and I believe this has catalysed a positive shift within our department.”

Mahama’s impactful presence at UFS

Dr Von Maltitz emphasised that Mahama’s visit aimed to offer staff and students a glimpse into his artistic process and mindset. During his time at the UFS, Mahama, who was virtually overseeing his latest recent large-scale artwork titled Purple Hibiscus, which involved wrapping the Barbican Centre in London, engaged extensively with staff and students from the department about their research. He shared insights into his creative journey, presented select works, and conducted critique sessions with fourth year and postgraduate students, among other activities. Dr Von Maltitz believes this interaction, particularly with students, has significantly bolstered their confidence as aspiring artists, preparing them for professional endeavours.

Broader implications and future prospects

Mahama’s visit not only energised the department’s academic environment but also holds broader implications. Dr Von Maltitz asserted that it will solidify the department’s identity nationally and create avenues for students to pursue residencies in countries like Ghana. Therefore, maintaining a fruitful relationship with Mahama remains a priority for the department.

Reflecting on the visit Dr Von Maltitz concluded, ‘’the key takeaway, especially for the students, was witnessing the potential of their works within the broader South African and international contexts. “

News Archive

Leading African Studies scholar to represent UFS as research fellow at Leiden University

2016-03-10

Dr Stephanie Cawood to devote three months at the African Studies Centre Leiden as a visiting research fellow to further her research on the rhetorical imprint of Nelson Mandela.
Photo: Supplied

Dr Stephanie Cawood, Programme Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of the Free State (UFS) Centre for Africa Studies has been offered a visiting research fellowship to the African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL) at Leiden University in the Netherlands. The ASCL is entirely devoted to the study of Africa transcending multiple faculties and is known for its extensive library.

As a visiting research fellow from April to June 2016, Dr Cawood looks forward to expanding her network as well as intellectual horizons with the broad spectrum of knowledge archived by the ASCL. “Working so closely with the scholars at the African Studies Centre Leiden will enrich my research and broaden my international footprint as a scholar,” Dr Cawood says.

Her research at ASCL follows on her doctoral research on the former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela’s rhetorical imprint, and will explore the conceptual, cultural, ideological and historical influences that shaped the thought and rhetoric of Nelson Mandela. She is particularly interested in studying the intertextual dynamics in Mandela’s rhetoric with historical figures such as Jawarharlal Nehru, Martin Luther King Jr and Winston Churchill.

According to Dr Cawood, this research “will deepen the understanding of Nelson Mandela’s rhetorical journey from struggle to liberation and unpack the various influences that made him the political figure he ultimately became.”

During her tenure at Leiden University, Dr Cawood will prepare a manuscript to be published by the ASCL as a working paper and also present seminars.

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