South African Literary Magazines 1956 - 1978

Notes

Signed by Michael Gardiner on the cover page.

'My wife and I have been collecting South African literary magazines for almost a decade. Our interest in the field began with our great love and admiration for the art and poetry of Wopko Jensma.

In July 1996 we launched our first gallery, a display window in a mall in Rosebank, with an exhibition of woodcuts and books by Jensma. It was at this time that we were introduced to Michael Gardiner. With the opening of our current gallery in August 2002, the prospect of a larger and more comprehensive exhibition was discussed, in the light of Gardiner's extensive and ongoing research in the field of South African Literary Magazines. It became clear with the passing of time that Gardiner's research needed to be published in order to reach a wider audience interested in the field. I felt that an exhibition of paintings, photographs, drawings and prints by artists whose works were either featured, or who created cover art or illustrations for inclusion in these literary magazines, would greatly enhance the exhibition of the magazines themselves.

The aim of doing this was to reinforce the strong links that existed at this time between artists and writers working in South Africa, in their common goal to fight censorship and challenge the status quo with regard to the stringent limitations placed on freedom of speech and association during this era.

Warren Siebrits, Johannesburg, 28 February 2005.'

Direct quote cover page: Warren Siebrits (2005) South African Literary Magazines 1956 - 1978, Johannesburg: Warren Siebrits Modern and Contemporary Art, exhibition catalogue