On Wednesday, March 1, at 4:30 p.m. in Old Chapel, Stephen Clingman will give a presentation on the world-renowned South African artist William Kentridge, including a viewing of two of Kentridge’s short films. This event was rescheduled from the original date of Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Kentridge is widely celebrated as one of the world’s great artists. A master drawer in his favored charcoal, he has worked across multiple media and genres including film, etching, sculpture, tapestry, and theatre and opera direction. He has won awards around the globe, and held exhibitions at the world’s major museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Albertina Museum in Vienna, the Musée du Louvre in Paris, and the Whitechapel Gallery in London, among others.

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In September 2022 the Royal Academy of Arts in London mounted the most extensive exhibition to date of Kentridge’s work in the UK. Stephen Clingman was commissioned by both Kentridge and the Royal Academy to write the catalogue, now available as a book. He drew on his particular knowledge of Kentridge—they were at school and university together—and his catalogue, which comprises a long essay and six meditations on Kentridge’s works, has been acclaimed for its approach and insight.

The event on the 28th will serve as a celebration of Stephen’s book as well as a rare opportunity to see two of Kentridge’s recent films. There will also be time for discussion and Q and A. Copies of Stephen’s book will be available for signing, courtesy of Amherst Books.

Stephen Clingman is Distinguished University Professor in the Department of English at the University of Massachusetts. He is the author of a number of books, including “Bram Fischer: Afrikaner Revolutionary,” co-winner of the Sunday Times Alan Paton Award, South Africa’s premier prize for non-fiction.

Kentridge’s films are shown with the permission of William Kentridge. The event, which will be free and open to the public, is sponsored by the University Museum of Contemporary Art, and co-sponsored by the Department of English.