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UFS Alumna Miné Kleynhans wins SASOL New Signatures Art Competition

17 September 2024 | Story Jacky Tshokwe | Photo Supplied

The University of the Free State (UFS) is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Miné Kleynhans (34), Project Coordinator in the UFS Art Gallery, who has been named the overall winner of the prestigious SASOL New Signatures Art Competition 2024. Kleynhans’ work, titled Meditations on Resentment, captivated judges and audiences alike with its profound conceptual depth and interactive elements.

Her winning piece, crafted from cherrywood, brass, sand, and found objects, invites participants to engage in a personal ritual with the often-suppressed emotion of resentment. This powerful sculpture uses physical interaction to reflect on the emotional weight of resentment, symbolising the process of recognising and confronting buried feelings.

In describing her work, Kleynhans says, “Meditations on Resentment imagines a ritual where participants are invited to pour sand over the surface, write their resentments, and reveal hidden brass thorns beneath, symbolising the sharpness of resentment. The process is repeated as many times as necessary, mimicking how resentment embeds itself within us over time.”

A journey of growth and recognition

Kleynhans, who holds a master’s degree in Fine Arts (cum laude) from the UFS, has had an illustrious journey, balancing her roles as an artist, project coordinator, and arts facilitator. Her artistic evolution has been shaped by various experiences, including being a lead artist in the internationally renowned It’s My City project, and her artist residency at Brashnar Creative Project in Macedonia.

Despite the challenges of finding time to create art alongside her professional commitments, Kleynhans has continued to produce thought-provoking work. "I feel my conceptual language as an artist has only recently started to emerge and solidify," she reflects. Her persistence has paid off, as winning this competition marks a defining moment in her career.

Inspiration and impact

Reflecting on the influence of mentorship in her life, Kleynhans credits the renowned artist Willem Boshoff, who served as her co-supervisor during her postgraduate studies. “The depth of his artistic thinking left a lasting impression on me,” she says, acknowledging the pivotal role he played in shaping her approach to art.

Kleynhans’ work stands out for its thoughtful attention to the emotional and physical experience of the participant. “I believe Meditations on Resentment was chosen because every aspect of the installation was carefully considered – from the sharp, hard feel of resentment to the physical experience of kneeling before the piece. It’s interactive, and that’s what I hope will engage audiences.”

Looking ahead

This win is set to open new doors for Kleynhans. Alongside the recognition and prize money, the prospect of a solo exhibition will allow her to expand her artistic horizons. She envisions creating more interactive, game-like sculptures that challenge audiences to engage both emotionally and physically with her work.

Kleynhans remains deeply grateful to her UFS support system, acknowledging the role the institution played in her development as both an artist and arts administrator. “The support from the UFS – lecturers, classmates, and colleagues – has been invaluable. The UFS Department of Fine Arts has a special energy that has nurtured many successful alumni.”

As she continues her artistic journey, Miné Kleynhans is eager to contribute to the continuous growth of contemporary South African art. Her work not only challenges societal norms but also adds a unique voice to the continuing dialogue about emotion, self-awareness, and the role of art in shaping our inner worlds.

Follow Miné Kleynhans' exciting journey and her upcoming projects in the UFS Art Gallery. Stay tuned for more updates on her future solo exhibition!

News Archive

Hearing loss a silent public health crisis in South Africa

2017-03-27

Dr Magteld Smith engages on the topic of hearing loss
and how it coincides with the commemoration of
World Hearing awareness during the month of March.
Photo: Oteng Mpete

Communication is a principal challenge for people with hearing loss. It can be difficult to negotiate everyday interactions, whether in the workplace, on the street, in classrooms, courts, during consultations with health professionals, or even when contacting the police. The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) World Hearing Day is an annual advocacy event held each year on 3 March to raise awareness and promote ear and hearing care across the world. In many countries this awareness campaign usually starts on 3 March but many continue to create awareness for the full month of March.

Hearing loss is a global reality
According to Dr Magteld Smith, a researcher at the University of the Free State (UFS) School of Medicine’s Department of Otorhinolaryngology, unaddressed hearing loss poses a high cost for the economy globally and has a significant impact on the lives of those affected. Interventions to address hearing loss are available in South Africa but are not accessible or affordable for most citizens. This is partly because not only persons with hearing loss but also people with disabilities experience barriers in accessing services that many of us take for granted, including health, education, employment, and transport as well as information. These difficulties are exacerbated in less-advantaged communities.

“WHO estimates that there are more than 360 million persons with hearing loss globally. The statistics in South Africa are unreliable due to the different definitions used by Statistics South Africa and the absence of training of the officials who conduct and collect statistics concerning hearing loss in South Africa,” says Dr Smith.

According to Dr Smith, analysis from retrospective studies reflects that about 17 out of 1 000 infants are born daily in South Africa with severe to profound hearing loss. However, Dr Smith states that the number could be higher because of late diagnosis, high levels of undiagnosed and untreated hearing loss. This excludes young adults, adults and the elderly as well as children with acquired (become deaf after birth) hearing loss.

Crisis that needs urgent intervention
Dr Smith says hearing loss is an emergency which the South African government fails to prioritise. She says that research published confirms that the risk compounding the projected increase in hearing loss that comes with an ageing population. This is a looming and silent public-health crisis.
She believes that the government should take urgent action to align research-spending with the current and projected size and impact of hearing loss. It should also collaborate across related conditions, such as vision, neurodegenerative diseases and neurological conditions. Furthermore, the government needs, and is obligated, to deliver more accessible and integrated services and develop quality standards that take account of the whole pathway – linking public health, clinical and social needs.

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