Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival commissions artwork to honour Desmond Tutu
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival, the festival’s Artistic Director, Nina Schumann, has commissioned renowned South African pointillist, Gavin Rain, to create a commemorative artwork – a portrait of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, a beloved late patron of the SICMF.
Image: Supplied
In a significant artistic endeavour to honour the legacy of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival (SICMF) has announced the commission of a unique commemorative artwork. This year marks the festival’s 20th anniversary, and Artistic Director Nina Schumann has engaged renowned South African pointillist Gavin Rain to create a portrait of Tutu, a cherished late patron of the festival.
Gavin Rain, celebrated for his innovative technique using small circles that blend light and dark to form images, aims to create a breathtaking tribute that embodies the spirit of community the SICMF has nurtured over the past two decades. Rain, whose exhibitions span across major cities including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Venice, and Miami, will be employing a new method for this commissioned piece unlike anything seen before globally.
The artwork will consist of 1,098 individual circles, each engraved with a heartfelt message from members of the SICMF community—performers, participants, and supporters alike. Unlike Rain's typical use of vibrant colours, this work will focus instead on mathematically calculated angles, creating a play of light and shadow that reveals Tutu’s likeness when viewed from a specific perspective. The final installation will measure approximately 3 x 3 meters, a striking presence that ensures Tutu’s legacy remains alive.
Gavin Rain, an artist from Cape Town, has held exhibitions in the Mother City, Johannesburg, Venice, Miami and others
Image: Supplied
Reflecting on the conception of the project, Nina Schumann shared her vision: “I was thinking about the sense of community that the SICMF has created—how it resonates with so many people in such different ways. I wanted a lasting piece that reflected that togetherness. Then I thought of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, and the idea of an artwork made of messages popped up in my head!”
Having long admired Rain’s artistry since their school days, Schumann reached out to him with the idea earlier this year. Though initially sceptical, Rain embraced the challenge with zeal, stating, “it was impossible to do but that he is all in.”
SICMF Director Peter Martens expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support the project has received from various stakeholders. This includes the Department of Music, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the Stellenbosch University Visual Redress Committee. Furthermore, the project has garnered the endorsement of the Archbishop Tutu Intellectual Property Trust, enhancing its significance within the community.
A closer look at the artwork of Gavin Rain in which he uses circles.
Image: Supplied
This permanent installation will be assembled outside the Konservatorium building at the base of the staircase leading to the Behrens Foyer during the festival, which runs from 4 to 13 July 2025. Festival attendees will have the unique opportunity to witness the transformation of Rain’s artwork, unveiling Tutu’s likeness as it takes shape over the course of the festival.