BLOEMFONTEIN – With the festive recess upon us, the public can visit the Oliewenhuis Art Museum for a free, full day of art and leisure. Visitors are invited to pack a picnic to enjoy in the front garden while exploring the fascinating exhibitions on show, strolling through the Sculpture Park, or exploring the scenic walking trails. For children, the unique African Carousel offers rides for just R5 (cash only).
The exhibitions on view include:
■ Beyond Walls: Emerging Contemporary Voices. Curated from the ArtbankSA’s Collection, this runs from 4 December to 6 April 2026.
Unlike traditional museum collections confined to institutional walls, ArtbankSA operates as a dynamic platform that circulates emerging artists’ work through leasing and sales to collectors and the general public. This exhibition captures the essence of this fluid model, presenting works that exist in active dialogue with diverse spaces and communities. It not only offers a viewing experience but also provides an opportunity to acquire contemporary artworks.
■ The Co-Incidence of Conditions, a solo exhibition by Wessel van Huyssteen, which runs until 8 February in the Annex Gallery.
Van Huyssteen’s current practice encompasses detailed watercolour studies alongside large-scale visually impactful stitched textile works. These labour-intensive “stitchings,” created from industrial fabrics like viscose and nylon, serve as material critiques of fast fashion’s ecological impact and global supply chains. The artist’s focus on manual craftsmanship highlights the value of physical process in an increasingly automated world.
■ The exhibition Sutha Ke Fete − The Art of the Basotho Blanket, ongoing until 15 February in the Reservoir Gallery.
The Sanlam Art Collection compiled an exhibition featuring a selection of Basotho Blankets from various collections including the collection of the National Museum. This exhibition is a visual experience accompanied by informative text, photographic and video materials.
Two additional exhibitions will be open on Friday 12 December, and these will end in April next year.
■ Marks of Mastery: Celebrating the Lives and Legacies of Justinus Khoalibe, Ben Botma, Christiaan Diedericks, and Andries Gouws. It officially opens on 12 December and will end on 6 April 2026. This exhibition celebrates four extraordinary artists whose work forms an integral part of the Oliewenhuis Art Museum’s Permanent Collection.
Justinus Khoalibe, Ben Botma, Christiaan Diedericks, and Andries Gouws, each a master of in their chosen medium, left an indelible impression on the South African art world before their passing in 2024 or 2025. Through a selection of sculpture, charcoal drawings, prints, and paintings, this exhibition not only reveals their technical brilliance but also the distinctive creative voices that defined each practice.
■ Timeless, from 12 December to 6 April, as part of the Permanent Collection Gallery.
A selection of timeless artworks from the Oliewenhuis Art Museum’s Permanent Collection. Curated with the intention to create a collectively shared and enjoyable visual experience for all in the spirit of Reconciliation Day.
