Cape Town's Irma Stern Museum closes, but its legacy continues

The Irma Stern Museum, a cherished cultural landmark for over 56 years, has officially closed its doors. However, the museum's committee assures the public that the collection will soon be revitalised. 

The Irma Stern Trust said it would announce plans to unveil "exciting initiatives" to present Irma Stern’s work in new ways that will engage an even wider South African and international audience".

The Irma Stern Trust Collection will be moved from The Firs, where it occupied the home-and-studio of the South African artist, who lived there from about 1927 until her death in 1966. The collection will be moved to "a secure archival facility" in the meantime.

Sterns' works fetch millions worldwide. The collection at the Museum includes oil paintings, works on paper, ceramics and sculpture by Stern; also artefacts she collected during her travels (African, European, Pre-Columbian, Eastern) which are displayed in the house.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) and the Irma Stern™ Trust said in a joint statement that they have concluded their long-standing partnership to manage and operate the Irma Stern Museum. They also said that the museum would be "repurposed".

The fact that the museum was  administered by a university and is part museum, part heritage site, part educational resource gave it a special role in the local art ecosystem and many have expressed shock at its closure. 

According to Dianna Yach, chair of the Irma Stern Museum Committee, "this new journey would contribute to the growth of Irma Stern’s legacy more than half a century after her passing".

“This change opens new doors for audiences to encounter her art and be inspired by the passion and curiosity that defined her life’s work,” she said.

For 56 years, the museum has been a cultural landmark, welcoming generations of members of the UCT community as well as local and international visitors from around the world to experience the vibrant artistry of one of South Africa’s most celebrated painters.

Stern’s will stipulated that her art and artefact collection be held in trust “for the encouragement and promotion of the Fine Arts”. From this the museum was founded officially in 1971/72 under the administration of UCT on behalf of the Irma Stern Trust.

In a joint statement, UCT and the Trust said: "Now, in the spirit of Irma Stern’s own adventurous nature, the collection will be embarking on a new journey."

The collection will move to a secure archival facility to ensure its continued preservation, while The Firs property will be repurposed. 

“UCT is proud to have been a custodian of Irma Stern’s legacy for decades. As this new chapter begins, we look forward to seeing her work reach new audiences in innovative and more impactful ways." said UCT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Transformation, Student Affairs and Social Responsiveness Professor Elelwani Ramugondo.

Guided by Stern’s will, entrusting her home and collection “for the encouragement and promotion of Fine Arts within and outside South Africa” – the Trust remains "dedicated to ensuring her bold, vibrant vision continues to inspire future generations".

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus