Umbhaco Exhibition opens at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum: A celebration of heritage and contemporary creativity.

On image: Some of the beadwork pieces at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum in Gqeberha.

The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum has officially opened the Umbhaco Exhibition in partnership with the aBantu Development Agency’s project, Ingqungquthela (The Conference). This powerful showcase celebrates the living legacy of Xhosa beadwork and the ways young creatives are reimagining indigenous culture through contemporary design.

The exhibition launched with vibrant performances, including a moving opening act by Indwe, blending the traditional sounds of uHadi with modern beats. Guests were treated to an immersive experience featuring more than 2,000 pieces of beadwork, traditional textiles, and contemporary fashion.

Cllr Sinebhongo Kwatsha, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, expressed her excitement,

“It is truly special to see the history collected by the Art Museum for this exhibition. Among the treasures on display is beadwork created by our grandmothers, reminding us of an unbroken line of culture and tradition passed down from our forefathers and foremothers. What makes this exhibition so unique is how it shows that the younger generation has not only kept our culture alive but is celebrating it through modern fashion.”

The aBantu Development Agency spearheaded the project by bringing together nine creatives from East London, Gqeberha, and Komani. Each young designer collaborated with two beadwork practitioners, merging traditional techniques with modern design to create innovative fashion and products.

This collaboration reflects the project’s vision of preserving beadwork heritage while empowering the next generation of cultural innovators. Assistant Director of the Art Museum, Emma O’Brien, emphasized the significance of the timing,

“I am deeply happy to see this exhibition opening during Heritage Month. Heritage connects our past to the present and inspires us to imagine the future we can create together.”

The Umbhaco Exhibition also highlights the museum’s long-standing commitment to beadwork. For over 40 years, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum has invested in beadwork as a vital art form of the Eastern Cape. The collection now includes more than 2,000 unique pieces showcasing diverse regional traditions.

The exhibition features:

• Traditional beadwork masterpieces from the museum’s permanent collection.

• Contemporary fashion and design pieces created by young creatives in Ingqungquthela.

• Iconic works from MaXhosa by Laduma, the internationally celebrated luxury label founded by Laduma Ngxokolo, who drew inspiration from the museum’s beadwork collection when developing his knitwear.

• Donations from the NPO Friends of the Art Museum, including unique beadwork pieces that further enrich the showcase.

  
  

The Umbhaco Exhibition is more than an art showcase, it is a celebration of cultural continuity, creativity, and identity. It proves that while traditions evolve, the spirit of heritage remains deeply alive within modern society.

Visitors are invited to experience this extraordinary journey of artistry and heritage, now on display at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum.

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