Long-Sharp Gallery & Belgravia Gallery to Donate Rare Nelson Mandela original lithographs to Union Theological Seminary in NY to promote Peace, Understanding, & Diversity
New York, NY (PRWEB) December 05, 2016 -- The Long-Sharp Gallery and the Belgravia Gallery are proud to announce the donation of two of Nelson Mandela’s rarely shown lithographs, The Courtyard and the Guard Tower, to 180-year-old Union Theological Seminary in New York, which advances a new interreligious spirituality of radical openness and love is the world’s best hope for peace, justice, and the care of God’s creation. The gifts are being made as a gesture of goodwill in an effort to promote Nelson Mandela’s important lifework of fostering international peace and universal reconciliation and understanding.
The donations will be made at a reception and viewing of the exhibition, Nelson Mandela: The Artist at the Long-Sharp Gallery, 24 West 57th Street, Suite 609, on Tuesday, December 6 from 6:30 – 8 pm. The Nelson Mandela Exhibition of 32 rarely shown works is currently on view at the Gallery until December 15th.
“In this time of great division and pain in our country, we recognize that Nelson Mandela: The Artist offers a rare opportunity to spark a much-needed conversation about peace, tolerance, and equality,” explained gallery owner Rhonda Long-Sharp. “In light of recent events, it is my hope that the donation of Mandela’s artwork to Union Theological Seminary – highly recognized worldwide for its work to advance social justice and make the world better – will serve as a catalyst for positive dialogue about contemporary issues of gender, social inequity, racial injustice, religious tolerance and needless violence.”
After spending 27 years in jail for protesting South Africa’s apartheid, 18 of those years at the Robben Island prison known for its notoriously inhumane conditions, Nelson Mandela rose to international prominence as a peacemaker, statesman and activist. Among his lesser known roles is his work as an artist. From 2001 – 2004, Mandela created a series of lithographs and watercolors that reflect his unbreakable hope and strength during his incarceration.
“We are honored to be blessed with such a significant donation of Mandela’s artwork that represents what we at Union stand for – peace, acceptance and human understanding,” said Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, President of Union Theological Seminary. “We hope that by displaying these extraordinary pieces on our campus we will provide inspiration to the future spiritual leaders of all faiths who come to Union to make a positive impact on society.”
The two lithographs donated are The Guard Tower (limited edition, hand-signed lithograph) and The Courtyard (limited edition, hand-signed lithograph. Union will display the work early in 2017.
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