HUMANITY, the museum exhibition produced in partnership by the Human Evolution Research Institute (HERI) and the Iziko Museums of South Africa, has been honoured with the 2024 Creative Works Award by the University of Cape Town (UCT).
The award, which is given annually in recognition of major artworks, performances, productions, compositions and architectural designs produced by UCT staff, was accepted by HERI Co-director Professor Rebecca Ackermann, at a staff celebration hosted by Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela.
“This exhibition was made possible thanks to an extraordinary team I have been privileged to be a part of, and we’re very excited that it has been recognised with this award from UCT,” says Ackermann.
Benchmark for museum practice
HUMANITY is a permanent exhibition that reimagines the story of human evolution. It explores the creative work of humankind through its content and design and presents the science of human evolution with the purpose of social justice.
HUMANITY aims to frame the story of human origins in a decolonial manner that centres and celebrates the diversity of humans today, and uses this diversity as a way to understand the past and the complex origins of our species. In this telling, the exhibit tackles sensitive topics including race and racism, and the colonial legacy of science.
Launched at the Iziko South African Museum in 2023, it was the culmination of over five years of inclusive co-creation that involved academics, curators, designers, artists, educators and community leaders.
“We are taking visitors on a new kind of journey, one that explores our diversity and how we became who we are today.” says Dr Wendy Black, Chief Curator of Art and Social History at Iziko Museums of South Africa and member of HERI.
“Our approach involved engaged and socially responsive scholarship that we hope sets a benchmark for museum practice going forward.”
Financial support for HUMANITY was provided by Iziko Museums of South Africa and UCT, as well as the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the National Research Foundation (NRF), GENUS the NRF Centre for Excellence in Palaeosciences, the Palaeontological Scientific Trust (PAST), the European Society for Evolutionary Biology (ESEB), and the University of Copenhagen.
Acknowledging leadership
The HUMANITY award was given as part of the UCT Staff Annual Awards 2024 ceremony by UCT, which celebrates the outstanding achievements of academic and professional merit among its staff.
And it was not the only honour received by HERI. Co-Director Dr Robyn Pickering received an ad hominem promotion to Associate Professor, acknowledging her achievements and exemplary leadership in teaching and learning, research, social responsiveness and university service.
Pickering is an isotope geochemist with research focused on understanding where, when and in what environments early human ancestors evolved.
“UCT does a good party! The awards event was a really fun evening. This promotion is recognition from my peers of my commitment to both excellence and transformation at UCT, and it means a lot to me. I am also delighted that HUMANITY and the exhibition team are receiving the recognition they so richly deserve,” says Pickering.
HUMANITY is open to the public at the Iziko South African Museum
25 Queen Victoria Road, Cape Town
Monday to Sunday from 09:00 - 17:00
www.iziko.org.za
EXHIBITION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Human Evolution Research Institute (HERI), University of Cape Town
Rebecca Rogers Ackermann, Robyn Pickering, Yonatan Sahle, Laura Rawden, Lauren Schroeder, Robyn Humphreys, Jayne Wilkins, Ben Schoville.
Iziko Museums of South Africa
Wendy Black, Amy Sephton, Tessa Campbell, Nkosingiphile Mazibuko, Glynn Alard, Wilhelmina Seconna, Benjamin Marais, Thabiso Mhlambiso, Nolwandle Matitibala, Pascal Pearce, Stanley Fatyela, Sabata Mageza, Robert Louw, Wahseem Manan, Linda Mbeki, Tessa Davids, Thando Ngcangisa, Bradley Mottie, Janene Van Wyk, Melody Kleinsmith, Thandi Nqubelani, Lungile Gadezweni, Fredrick Paynter, Tebogo Diketane, Annelize Kotze, Siphamandla Oupa, Noleen Donson, Nandiswa Mbungendlu, Ayanda Ngcuka, Nkoliseko Timakwe, Karen de Leeuw, Wayne Florence.
Special support from
Sechaba Maape, Mirriam Tawane, Pieter Hugo, Dipuo Kgotleng, Petrus Vaalbooi, Ivan Vaalbooi, Jan Pietersen, Magdalena Lukas, Chanase Pietersen, Coleen de Koker, Tauriq Jenkins, Siboniso Mabaso, Mak1one, Jade De Waal, Katerina Harvati, Enrico Cappellini, Briana Pobiner, Aaliya Dramat, Vida Madighi Oghu, Aiden Nel, Miracle May, Erin Sweeney, Nicci Wells, Kimberleigh Tommy, Scott Rifkin, Antonieta Jerardino, Marc Lottering, Avuyile Komani, Markus Kruger, Peggy Mongoato, Kristin Stewart, Bakumuimba Basua, Shimmy Isaacs, Bianca Gallant, Katleho Makhetha, Christelle Dreyer, Collin Meyer, Joseph Philemon, Monique Murray, Lise-Marié Richardson, Alistair Brooke, Ronald Muhali, Amrain Essop, Mario Rabie, Zgagulula Nyirenda, Rethabile Mofosi, and all our DNA and photography participants.