Sue Williamson
By Zoé Whitley

A complete monograph accompanying the first retrospective exhibition of globally acclaimed South African artistRoom by room, this striking catalogue of South African artist Sue Williamson’s major retrospective at the Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town takes readers on a walk through 45 years of her work.We begin with A Few South Africans (1983–1987), the iconic photo-etched and silk-screened portraits of women who fought for liberation from apartheid—a series now held in a number of international museum collections. From there, the reader moves through The Apartheid Years, Africa and her Colonisers, The Voices on the Street, No More Fairy Tales, Messages from the Moat, and The Story of District Six. Each room highlights a distinct theme.New York Times art critic Holland Cotter has called Williamson “a dynamic amazement.” Her work flows fluidly across a wide range of media, including drawing, printmaking, photography, video, and sculptural installation. Critical texts by award-winning writers Zoé Whitley and Sean O’Toole offer further insights into her practice.The final room In the Studio is wallpapered with a facsimile of the artist’s studio, featuring a timeline and vitrines containing press clippings, posters, photographs, tools, and objects from Williamson’s working life, and Sihle Sogaula’s text reflects on this archive.For anyone interested in how art can speak to power, in the courage of women, or in making collaborative work that resonates within a community, this is a must-have book.