Honorary doctorate awarded to acclaimed art activist, educator

RECIPIENT
Michael Barry, South African art activist and educator
RECOGNISING
… social justice, equality, and access to the arts have been the mainstay of his lifelong journey as an artist, activist, and educator.… his extensive work in documenting the histories of marginalised communities, particularly those affected by apartheid’s forced removals, serves as a powerful tool for healing and remembrance. These include the South End Museum and the Northern Areas Heritage, Research, and Interpretive Centre (NAHRIC).

“He has inspired a generation of vulnerable youth to take up the arts as a viable career option and to use the medium to express their lived realities.” Vice-chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela

– His creative journey began with a Fine Arts Honours degree from the prestigious Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town.
– He later earned a Higher Diploma in Education and a Master’s in Art Education from Nelson Mandela University.
– Michael continued to promote community development through the arts after teaching art at St Thomas Senior Secondary School in Gqeberha, where he pioneered creative arts education in the Northern Areas.
– His work with the Arts & Teaching Initiatives (ATI) and his involvement in numerous heritage and
public art projects have impacted the Eastern Cape and South Africa.

Watch: Michael Barry on receiving the honorary doctorate from Rhodes University.

ABOUT HIS WORK
– His contributions to public art are nationally and internationally recognised, with his works featured in galleries and public spaces.
– He has played a pivotal role in public art initiatives and community projects, such as Route 67 and the Helenvale “Boy and the Kite” public artwork, symbolising hope, peace, and resilience in communities facing social challenges, and artwork in Gqeberha.
– Barry’s art has transformed physical spaces and societal narratives due to his involvement in the Helenvale Urban Arts Renewal Project and his leadership roles in initiatives like the Sunday Times 100-Year Heritage Project.
– View his work at www.michaelbarry.co.za
– Watch: Michael Barry on receiving the honorary doctorate from Rhodes University.

ABOUT MICHAEL’S CAREER
Despite the challenges of apartheid, Michael channelled his experiences into his work as an artist and educator, always driven by the desire to uplift others. His influence extends beyond the canvas.
His commitment to community engagement is evident through his roles as a teacher, mentor, and arts advocate.
As a pioneer of public art and cultural activism, Michael has fostered international collaborations between South African and European cultural organisations. These projects have created platforms for
young people from diverse backgrounds to connect and engage in meaningful dialogue about culture, history, and identity.
His ability to merge art with historical memory and education has made him a compelling artist,
scholar, and humanitarian. Michael Barry’s impact on the South African arts and cultural landscape
is profound and far-reaching.
Over the decades, Barry has used the arts as a platform for social justice, community upliftment, and cultural preservation. His work as an arts activist has empowered marginalised communities, including
vulnerable youth, by encouraging them to view the arts as a viable career path and a means of expressing their lived realities.
Barry’s life and career have been shaped by the turbulent times of South Africa’s apartheid era, particularly his early experiences of forced removals from Fairview, Port Elizabeth.

ACCOLADES
– 2018 Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Provincial Cultural Award
– Recognised by Nelson Mandela University Alumni Association for the impact of his lifelong dedication to the arts
– Gerry Boulter Award – Watch Michael receive the award.

MORE
Watch: South African artist Michael Barry wins the prestigious Gerry Boulter award
Read: Arts as a means for healing: Activist Dr Michael Barry inspires postgraduates at RU120 graduation.