A free online event, part of the Art History Festival, which is taking place from 20-25 September.

The 50s, 60s and 70s saw a period of active creativity by Black South African modernists. At the time, many doors of formal art education were closed for what was termed ‘Non- Europeans’ by the Apartheid regime introduced in 1948.

Most of these artists received their art training at Polly Street Art Centre, an initiative by a group of idealists who began to teach art voluntarily to Black people who were eager to express themselves visually. There are few books covering their art and training. Exhibitions of artworks by these artists are also rare. Are institutions serving them well?