Transport and the cheery vehicle is becoming a landmark of the city bringing art to the people. School visits have also increased and the gallery and museums are on the agenda for most school and tourist outings. But what happens there?

The gallery has a permanent collection of about 6 000 artworks which include sculpture, painting, prints, glass, jewellery, ceramics and photographs. This is an important part of our national heritage and last year two of the gallery’s paintings were borrowed for important international exhibitions by major overseas museums. One was the work by Paul Stopforth called “Elegy,” a depiction of Steve Biko after his death. This went to an exhibition in Barcelona, Spain.

The other was the Portrait of TS Eliot by British artist, Wyndham Lewis. This was shown in the National Portrait Gallery in London and was considered such an important work that they used “our” painting for their main exhibition poster which was up all over London. Both works are now back here for us to see without the cost of a transatlantic ticket. Selected items from the collectionare shown at different times and for most of 2009 there is selection of works called Pic(k) of the DAG from the storeroom which have been chosen especially to suit the national curriculum.

A lively programme of temporary exhibitions will be sent from different parts of the country and the world. The year will kick off with a show of contemporary artists from the continent of Africa curated by Nigerian curator, Bisi Silva. She has selected a group of women artists who come from Nigeria, Mozambique, Ghana and various other African centres. None of them have ever been seen in South Africa. This will be on at the same time as “Not Alone – An international project of Make Art/Stop Aids” a show which has morphed from one recently shown in Los Angeles, California.

A highlight of this show will undoubtedly be the spectacular Keiskamma Altarpiece. This 4m high x 6 metre wide artwork has been made by around 130 people, mostly women, working in the Keiskamma area of the Eastern Cape. It is a piece expressing hope and strength in a time of Aids and has been on tour of the United States and England. This will be its first major showing in a gallery in South Africa and is a must-see event. Then, Siemon Allen, an ex Durbanite, will be showing his work. There will also be a fascinating show of photos taken during the resistance days in the 80s by local artist, Gille de Vlieg.

Later in the year the Standard Bank Young Artist, Nicholas Hlobo has been invited to show at the Tate Modern in London in 2009 so we are well in line with the top venues of the world. Not forgetting the youngsters, the gallery continues with its regular Saturday morning art classes – events which have nurtured generations of young artists, some of whom are now sending their children to this Saturday fun. School groups are always welcome and there are education officers on hand to guide them through the exhibitions. These have to be booked in advance, though. The gallery also has regular evening functions and these often provide an opportunity not only to socialise but also often to meet the artists and hear informative talks on the current exhibition.

The gallery is open Monday to Saturday 8.30am – 4pm and Sundays 11am – 4pm. Find it on the 2nd floor, City Hall, Anton Lembede Street (formerly Smith Street). Entry is free. For more info call 031 311 2264/9, or email strettonj@durban.gov.za to be placedon the mailing list.