THE UNISA ART GALLERY IN COLLABORATION WITH WILLIAM HUMPHREY’S ART GALLERY OPEN THE “FOR SOME, THE PATHWAY TO EDUCATION LIES BETWEEN THORNS” EXHIBITION ON THE 14^th OF MARCH 2026.

CURATED BY CHEPAPE MAKGATO AT THE UNISA ART GALLERY.

 

For Some, the Pathway to Education Lies Between Thorns is a travelling solo exhibition of works by the renowned South African artist, writer, and poet Peter E. Clarke, presented as a collaboration between the William Humphreys Art Gallery (WHAG) and the UNISA Art Gallery.

Drawn from the WHAG permanent collection and the UNISA Art Collection, the exhibition brings together Clarke’s linocuts, woodcuts, paintings, and watercolour drawings that critically engage themes of education, spatial inequality, mobility, and social justice, concerns that remain profoundly relevant within South Africa’s contemporary social and educational landscape.

Born in Simon’s Town in 1929, Clarke grew up under the oppressive conditions of apartheid and was forcibly relocated to Ocean View in 1972. Despite systemic marginalisation and limited access to formal education, he pursued a lifelong artistic practice that would earn him national and international acclaim. In recognition of his contribution to South African arts and literature, Clarke was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga (Silver) in 2005 by President Thabo Mbeki, followed by a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, among numerous other honours.

The exhibition takes its title from Clarke’s 2008 artwork For Some, the Pathway to Education Lies Between Thorns, inspired by experiences and observations made much earlier in his career while visiting rural communities. Reflecting on children who walked long distances to access schooling, Clarke remarked:

The exhibition resonates strongly in the present context of South Africa’s higher education sector, marked by ongoing student protests, debates around access and funding, and structural inequalities that continue to shape who is able to pursue education and under what conditions. Clarke’s work insists on education as a lived and contested journey rather than an abstract ideal.

Characterized by a distinctive visual language that blends traditional printmaking techniques with a modern sensibility, Clarke’s work captures everyday life with empathy, restraint, and quiet resistance. His artistic legacy endures as one that challenges complacency, affirms resilience, and celebrates the transformative power of knowledge.

Opening Reception: 26 July 2025 | 11:30 FOR 12:00 NOON

Exhibition Dates: 14 March 2026 – 09 April 2026

Venue: UNISA Art Gallery, Kgorong Building, Muckleneuck Campus, Pretoria

RSVP: Salome Moshma, moshos@unisa.ac.za

 

For more information, please contact:

UNISA Art Gallery Curator, Tshegofatso Seoka, at seoakte@unisa.ac.za

WHAG Chief Curator, Chepape Makgato, at chepape@whag.co.za

 

ABOUT THE UNISA ART GALLERY

Since its inception in 1986, the Unisa Art Gallery has grown to become one of South Africa’s premier exhibition spaces. The gallery boasts a remarkable permanent collection featuring works by some of the most prolific contemporary South African and international artists.

The UNISA Art Gallery hosts a dynamic range of exhibitions that engage with themes relevant globally, continentally, and nationally, with a particular focus on South Africa. The Unisa Art Gallery fosters critical discourse, artistic innovation, and cultural reflection through these exhibitions.

As part of our commitment to education and research, the Unisa Art Gallery serves students, staff, and the public by providing access to an extensive Art Collection, archive and inventory of catalogues, and research materials. Visitors can explore these resources through the Unisa Art Gallery website and on-site engagements, including artist walkabouts, workshops, and learning sessions. Whether in-person or through digital platforms, the UNISA Art Gallery programs aim to inform, inspire, and empower its audience.

HOW TO GET HERE

The Unisa Art Gallery is on the Unisa Muckleneuk campus, Preller Street, located on the ground floor of the Kgorong building. From OR Tambo International Airport, take the R21 towards Pretoria, and from Johannesburg, take the N1 to Pretoria. Then take the Eeufees off-ramp and follow the Sunnyside M5 signs.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The gallery is open to the public between 10:00 am to 15:00 from Tuesday to Friday. Closed on weekends and public holidays.

ENTRY TO THE GALLERY IS FREE

Book your viewing of exhibitions at seokate@unisa.ac.za