Skip to content
Hofstra University Museum

Hofstra University Museum -  Where Art Inspires and Transforms

Print this page

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 ekphrastic poetry written by Hofstra University students in response to works from Soweto Art: From the Collection of Violet and Les Payne.

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.

elated 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.

Photo Gallery: click on 'i' for more information

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