The first-ever art fair devoted exclusively to art from Africa will be held March 13-16, 2008, in the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. On sale will be the largest collection of African and South African contemporary art ever, covering 5000 square metres of space. Twenty-three galleries from the United States, Europe and Africa will showcase works.
"The Joburg Art Fair will establish South Africa as an essential stopover on the global contemporary art buying calendar," says Ross Douglas, director of Artlogic, the company behind the fair that was also responsible for bringing William Kentridge's critically acclaimed Magic Flute production to South Africa last year.
The fair will include a specially curated show by Simon Njami, chief curator of the highly successful Africa Remix exhibition, as well as the Africa pavilion at last year's Venice Biennale. He will be choosing works by artists from across Africa who will not be represented by galleries at the fair. Douglas says Njami's participation is a stamp of approval on the continent's first art fair and will set the tone for what will be an annual event. Robin Rhode, a South African-born, Berlin-based artist known for his inventive, performance-related artwork has also been commissioned to create an installation.
International contemporary art galleries confirmed for the 2008 Joburg Art Fair include the Jack Shainman Gallery of New York and the October Gallery of London. The galleries have been specially invited so buyers can expect an unparalleled selection to choose from. They will have works on sale from many of the big names, including Zwelethu Mthethwa, William Kentridge, Guy Tillim, David Goldblatt, Peter Hugo and Moshekwa Langa. Collectors and visitors are also invited to discover and explore the groundbreaking innovations of lesser-known African artists.
The following images are samples of what will be on view:
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Hank Willis Thomas
Basketball and Chain
2003
Lambda photograph
76.2 x 50.8 cm
Image courtesy of Jack Shainman Gallery . |
Lawrence Lemaoana
The One
2006
Digital print on 100% cotton rag paper
59,5 x 42 cm (Art Extra)
Edition of 10
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Nontsikelelo Veleko
Lady Futures Bright
2007
Pigment print on cotton rag paper
Edition of 10 (Goodman Gallery)
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Lawrence Lemaoana
Hierachy of Colour (100% Zulu Boy)
2007
Digital print on 100% cotton rag paper
42 x 59,5 cm (Art Extra)
Edition of 10
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