Two weeks ago Wits’ valuable art collection was under water. A pipe in the basement, where Wits keeps its art collection,  had burst and the room was flooded.

“We think it might have been a piece from a toilet seat above near to the art that got stuck in the pipe.  It could have been vandalism or a result of wear and tear,” said Julia Charlton, Senior Curator of the Wits Art Gallery.

The toilets have been completely removed from the premises to avoid any repeat disasters. A strenuous cleaning process is underway.

Professional art movers have been contracted to move all the art out of the storerooms while the space is cleaned by environmental services experts.

“So far it seems we got off relatively lightly,” Charlton said. “The art that has been cleaned up to this point is all undamaged. However, we obviously won’t know that the entire collection was not harmed until the cleaning process is complete.”

Charlton is happy with how Wits' cleaning staff has responded to the crisis."Supercare has been extremely helpful in responding to the crisis and have nothing to apologise for. They didn't cause the blockage in the sewage pipes that resulted in the effluent backup."

Vuvuzela reported in May that the art collection was to be moved to the University Corner building. The building is still being renovated.  

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Advancement and Partnership, Dr. Rob Moore, said “the estimated costs of revamping the three floors is R70 million. A lot of work has gone into fundraising but it’s difficult in the current economic environment.”

"The world-wide recession definitely has affected our fundraising efforts, hopefully with the recovery we will meet with more success."

The art collection is one of the largest and most elaborate collections of African art in the world . Several African artists’ works feature in it.

The 9000 pieces of art have been kept in environmentally controlled basements. The gallery has been trying throughout the year to gain the funding required to move and set up a quality gallery.
Charlton believed that even though it will be a long process, “work is being done”.