Rhodes University recently announced that Gqeberha art activist and educator, Michael Barry, will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) during the University’s graduation ceremony in Makhanda on October 11.
Over 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 not only a viable career path but also a means of expressing their lived realities. He has played a pivotal role in public art initiatives and community projects, such as Route 67 in Gqeberha and the Helenvale “Boy and the Kite” public artwork, which symbolises hope, peace, and resilience in communities facing social challenges.
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, Gqeberha.
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. Despite the challenges of apartheid, Barry channelled his experiences into his work as both an artist and educator, always driven by the desire to uplift others.
Barry’s influence extends beyond the canvas. His commitment to community engagement is evident through his roles as a teacher, mentor, and arts advocate. After teaching art at St Thomas Senior Secondary School in Gqeberha, where he pioneered creative arts education in the Northern Areas, Barry continued to promote community development through the arts. His work with the Arts & Teaching Initiatives (ATI) and his involvement in numerous heritage and public art projects have had a lasting impact on both the Eastern Cape and South Africa as a whole.
Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela praised Barry’s unwavering dedication to the arts, saying, “Social justice, equality, and access to the arts have been the mainstay of his lifelong journey as an artist, arts activist, and arts educator. 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.”
This honorary doctorate not only recognises Barry’s achievements but also his significant contributions to South Africa’s cultural heritage. Barry’s projects, such as his involvement with the South End Museum and the Northern Areas Heritage, Research, and Interpretive Centre (NAHRIC), exemplify his commitment to preserving and celebrating the stories of displaced people and communities.
As a pioneer of public art and cultural activism, Barry has been instrumental in fostering 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.
Even in retirement, Barry remains an active force in the arts and continues to teach part-time at Nelson Mandela University, inspiring future generations of artists and educators.
Barry’s contributions to public art are nationally and internationally recognised, with his works featured in galleries and public spaces. From his involvement in the Helenvale Urban Arts Renewal Project to his leadership roles in initiatives like the Sunday Times 100-Year Heritage Project, Barry’s art has transformed both physical spaces and societal narratives. His awards, including the 2018 Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Provincial Cultural Award and the Nelson Mandela University Alumni Association’s recognition, highlight the impact of his lifelong dedication to the arts.
