Staff and students collaborate with TUT Honorary Doctor for group exhibition

by Gerrit Bester

The Viewing Room Art Gallery in Brooklyn, Pretoria will host an inspiring group exhibition, Setlhatliso, showcasing the creative talents of printmaking students and staff from the Department of Fine and Studio Arts at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). This collaborative showcase shines a spotlight on emerging talent within the Faculty of Arts and Design, beautifully complemented by the presence of renowned South African artist, Dr Bongi Dhlomo-Mautloa, affectionately known as 'MaBongi'.

The exhibition follows a short residency by Dr Dhlomo-Mautloa in TUT’s Printmaking studios in April and May 2025.

Setlhatliso is a Setswana word referring to an impression, a drawing, or image created through printing. Setlhatliso carries deep cultural and artistic resonance and has been adopted as the title of this exhibition because it embodies the creative richness and vitality of the printmaking process.

Dr Dhlomo-Mautloa is a trailblazing printmaker, award-winning creative director, independent arts consultant, curator, cultural activist and visual artist. Her work is deeply rooted in socio-realist and political themes and her influence on South Africa’s visual arts landscape spans more than four decades.

In 2023, her immense contribution was formally recognised when President Cyril Ramaphosa awarded her the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver. This recognition was followed by an Honorary Doctorate from TUT in October 2024.

Setlhatliso forms part of the TUT's ongoing celebration of Dr Dhlomo-Mautloa’s legacy and her continued commitment to shaping the future of the arts in South Africa.

The works on display – created between January 2024 and April 2025 – highlight the enduring power and relevance of printmaking as a tool for storytelling, artivism and cultural expression.

The exhibition will be opened on 10 May at 11:00 by Prof Pfunzo Sidogi, Assistant Dean: Postgraduate Studies, Research and Innovation at the Faculty of Arts and Design.

The exhibition runs until 16 June.