The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum is home to a comprehensive collection of South African art and crafts, particularly that of the Eastern Cape Province. Located at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, the museum was founded in June 1956 as the King George VI Art Gallery before it was renamed in December of 2002.
The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum has a dynamic regional collection that reflects the history and character of art, craft and design produced in the Eastern Cape and its relationship to national and international trends. In addition to the South African works, the collection includes British art, international printmaking as well as Oriental art, which consist of Indian miniatures and Chinese textiles.
The limited exhibition space of the museum requires a constant rotation of works of art from the gallery’s permanent collection to accommodate their active programme of temporary exhibitions. Researchers who wish to see specific works not currently on exhibition are advised to do so by appointment.
