A LUTA CONTINUA: Reflecting on 30 years of democracy through the Constitutional Court Art Collection

Taking its title from the Thomas Mulcaire 2003 light artwork, now permanently installed in the Constitutional Court’s foyer, this CCAC exhibition explores the interconnectedness of art and justice, human rights and democracy, at this key moment in South Africa’s history and future.

The CCAC is a unique collection with an unusual history symbolised by what Justice Albie Sachs calls ‘an intense longing for human justice’. Arguably, there is no other art collection in post-apartheid South Africa that more evocatively captures the spirit of a nation moving from racist oppression to realising a progressive constitutional democracy. Like the Constitution of South Africa that was signed into law in 1996, the CCAC is, in many ways, emblematic of the country’s aspirations for human rights, liberty and dignity for all within a constitutional democracy.

Shortly after democracy came to South Africa and the Constitution came into effect thereafter, artists donated the artworks to celebrate the birth of a new era. They did so with overwhelming generosity, in the spirit of the Constitution. Under the spirited guidance of Justices Yvonne Mokgoro and Albie Sachs, the architects, and various artists working with them created the court building, now recognised as uniquely blending themes of justice with contemporary architecture, integrated art and adornment.

Today the Constitutional Court, a landmark building with heritage status, together with the publicly accessible art collection it both embodies and houses, provides a vivid symbol of the rule of law and social justice in South Africa. This is the first comprehensive showing of the CCAC beyond its home at the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg.

Explore the collection through a virtual tour.

Artwork: Thomas Mulcaire, A Luta Continua, 2003. Photograph by Akona Kenqu. Courtesy of the Constitutional Court Trust.