A series of 16 paintings depicting Nelson Mandela’s inspirational life story is the focus of an international art tour that opens in Melbourne, Australia, in September.
The 16 paintings form part of Nelson Mandela My life: The exhibition, which opens in Melbourne on 21 September 2018.
The exhibition, produced in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, is rich in original artefacts, including rare film, sound and imagery. It incorporates immersive multimedia environments and scenic recreations aimed at allowing visitors of all ages to engage with Mandela’s story.
The series of paintings by renowned South African artist John Meyer is on loan from a private collection owned by Richmark Holdings CEO Andrew Dunn. Dunn commissioned the paintings from Meyer, who he considers to be one of South Africa’s greatest living artists.
A series of paintings by South African artist John Meyer depicting Nelson Mandela’s inspirational life story is the focus of the Nelson Mandela My life: The exhibition, which opens in Melbourne on 21 September 2018.
(Image: Nelson Mandela Foundation)“John is a living legend who has painted for the queen of England, Paul Allen of Microsoft and many more world and business leaders,” says Dunn. “Choosing him to help fulfil my dream of owning a collection based on the life of Nelson Mandela was an easy decision.”
It took Meyer three years to complete the series, executed in acrylic and sand.
Meyer says Mandela’s rare and universal influence challenged him to raise his game and reach new artistic levels. “I want to explore the private world of people’s lives, the enigmatic unexplained and hidden emotions.”
He avoided politics in the series, aiming rather to capture Mandela’s humanity.
A select group had a sneak peak in Johannesburg in February when Johannesburg’s CIRCA Gallery hosted a one-night-only private viewing. The exhibition closes in Melbourne in mid-March 2019, moving on to Auckland, New Zealand, where it will open in early May 2019 and run until the end of August.