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Hofstra University Museum
  • Uncharted: American Abstraction in the Information Age | January 28-June 19, 2020 | Emily Lowe Gallery, behind Emily Lowe Hall, South Campus
  • David Filderman Gallery | Other People’s Parties | August 13, 2019-March 13, 2020 | Joan and Donald Axinn Library Ninth Floor, South Campus

Soweto Art:
From the Collection of Violet and Les Payne

February 1 - April 21, 2011
Emily Lowe Gallery


This original exhibit, Soweto Art: From the Collection of Violet and Les Payne,curated by Karen T. Albert, Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Collections, commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising - a series of clashes between black residents protesting Apartheid policies and the South African authorities.  Les Payne, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist,

David Mbele, Chess Players
David Mbele, Chess Players, undated, Mixed media on paper

covered South Africa for Newsday during this time period.While there, he bought Hargreaves Ntukwana's mixed media work titled Breakfast Table.  This work of art became the first piece in an ever-growing collection that focused on the struggling artists of the black township of Soweto. The exhibition includes over thirty paintings and works on paper by artists of Soweto including David Mbele, Velaphi Mzimba, Hargreaves Ntukwana, and Winston Saoli.

Click here to view original dances performed at the opening reception for Soweto Art: From the Collection of Violet and Les Payne by Hofstra University dance and drama students, under the direction of Hofstra Adjunct Associate Professor of Drama and Dance Dyane Harvey.

Gallery Location and Hours Emily Lowe Hall, South Campus
Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Related Programs*:

Opening Reception
Thursday, February 3, 2011
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Emily Lowe Gallery

The Soweto Uprising: A Firsthand Account
Thursday, February 10, 2011
3:00 - 4:30 pm
Emily Lowe Gallery

The Hevreh Ensemble: Original World Music
Sunday, February 13, 2011
3:00 pm
Emily Lowe Gallery

Gumboots and Beading - A Family Fun Program
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
11:00 am - 12:00 noon
Emily Lowe Gallery

*Program fees may apply.  For more information or to register for Museum events please call (516) 463-5672 or click here.

  • Soweto Art: From the Collection of Violet and Les Payne

    On Thursday, February 3, the Hofstra University Museum held an opening reception for its exhibition, Soweto Art: From the Collection of Violet and Les Payne. Over 80 guests enjoyed remarks by Beth Levinthal, Executive Director of the Hofstra University Museum, Herman Berliner, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Hofstra University and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Les Payne. Hofstra University dance and drama students presented original dances in response to the artwork choreographed by Dyane Harvey, Hofstra Adjunct Associate Professor of Drama and Dance. Soweto Art: From the Collection of Violet and Les Payne commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising – a series of clashes between black students protesting Apartheid policies and the South African authorities. Les Payne, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, covered South Africa for Newsday and began collecting the featured artists' works during this time.

  • Soweto Art: From the Collection of Violet and Les Payne

    On Thursday, February 3, the Hofstra University Museum held an opening reception for its exhibition, Soweto Art: From the Collection of Violet and Les Payne. Over 80 guests enjoyed remarks by Beth Levinthal, Executive Director of the Hofstra University Museum, Herman Berliner, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Hofstra University and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Les Payne. Hofstra University dance and drama students presented original dances in response to the artwork choreographed by Dyane Harvey, Hofstra Adjunct Associate Professor of Drama and Dance. Soweto Art: From the Collection of Violet and Les Payne commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising – a series of clashes between black students protesting Apartheid policies and the South African authorities. Les Payne, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, covered South Africa for Newsday and began collecting the featured artists' works during this time.

  • Soweto Art: From the Collection of Violet and Les Payne

    On Thursday, February 3, the Hofstra University Museum held an opening reception for its exhibition, Soweto Art: From the Collection of Violet and Les Payne. Over 80 guests enjoyed remarks by Beth Levinthal, Executive Director of the Hofstra University Museum, Herman Berliner, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Hofstra University and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Les Payne. Hofstra University dance and drama students presented original dances in response to the artwork choreographed by Dyane Harvey, Hofstra Adjunct Associate Professor of Drama and Dance. Soweto Art: From the Collection of Violet and Les Payne commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising – a series of clashes between black students protesting Apartheid policies and the South African authorities. Les Payne, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, covered South Africa for Newsday and began collecting the featured artists' works during this time.

  • Winston Saoli, Untitled

    Winston Saoli, Untitled, 1989, Multi media on paper

  • Velaphi Mzimba, Untitled

    Velaphi Mzimba, Untitled, 1994, Mixed media on canvas on board

  • Hargreaves Ntukwana, Water Buffalo

    Hargreaves Ntukwana, Water Buffalo, undated, Mixed media on paper

  • David Mbele, Card Players

    David Mbele, Card Players, undated, Mixed media on paper


  • Uncharted: American Abstraction in the Information Age | January 28-June 19, 2020 | Emily Lowe Gallery, behind Emily Lowe Hall, South Campus
  • David Filderman Gallery | Other People’s Parties | August 13, 2019-March 13, 2020 | Joan and Donald Axinn Library Ninth Floor, South Campus