African Art Spaces Reimagines a New Encounter With Art
Johannesburg, South Africa — 29 July 2024 — SPACES AFRICA, in collaboration with SA Creatives, has launched AFRICAN ART SPACES, a multidisciplinary exhibition experience created to rethink how audiences encounter contemporary African art.
Following the success of AFRICAN FASHION SPACES and AFRICAN MUSIC SPACES, the new initiative continues SPACES AFRICA’s mission to transform creative environments into dynamic platforms for collaboration, innovation and artistic expression.
A New Kind of Art Experience
AFRICAN ART SPACES brings together some of Southern Africa’s most compelling multidisciplinary creatives working across contemporary street art, design, installations and other forms of visual expression.
Rather than being restricted to one artistic discipline, the platform was created to give artists space to experiment, collaborate and connect directly with audiences and brands.
For its Johannesburg debut, the culture-focused Playground in Braamfontein — essentially a large parking lot transformed for the occasion — became an immersive artistic environment featuring exclusive and purchasable collections from 10 exhibitors.
The participating artists included Cee The Creator, Kim Van Vuuren, Naledi Modupi, Zee Feels, Njabulo Hlophe, That Art Kid Lari, Ellsphee, Damn Vandal, OUTSIDETHEWOODS and Joburg Ash.
The exhibition launched on Wednesday, 24 July 2024, before opening to the public on Thursday, 25 July.
From Johannesburg to Durban
The experience later expanded to Durban, where a surprise exhibition took place on Saturday, 27 July, revealing a new collaboration between Robertsons Spice, African Art Spaces and six of the participating artists.
The collaboration formed part of Robertsons’ 100-year celebrations and explored the theme “The Art of Flavour” through a collection of self-expressive artworks.
The participating artists were:
- Naledi Modupi
- Zinhle Sithebe (Zee Feels)
- Njabulo Hlophe
- Larissa Mwanyama (That.Art.Kid.Lari)
- Sphelele Gumede (Ellsphee)
- Nolan C. Kalwandu (OUTSIDETHEWOODS)
The collaboration represents a significant moment for SPACES AFRICA, which has been selective about its brand partnerships since the platform’s inception in 2016.
According to the organisers, the Robertsons collaboration marks the platform’s first official brand rollout.
The Pencil Hosts the Durban Exhibition
The Durban exhibition was hosted at The Pencil, a venue known for its community of business professionals, creatives, socialites and philanthropists.
Following the Durban event, the artworks from AFRICAN ART SPACES were set to remain on exhibition at The Pencil throughout the following month, giving audiences another opportunity to experience the work beyond the launch weekend.
Art, Music and Culture Collide
The three-day experience brought together art, music, fashion and wider African creative culture.
Media personalities Leddi G and Siya “Scoop” Ngwekazi hosted the opening night, with Kabelo Moremi hosting Thursday’s Johannesburg programme and Luthando Shosha hosting the Durban experience at The Pencil.
The musical programme featured performances from Maglera Doe Boy, Wendy Ntinezo, FifLaaa, Deniece Marz and Chaxllie, alongside additional sonic performances from Shekhina, A-Reece, Yolophonik, Marcus Harvey, Khuli Chana, Tinx, Franadilla, Namakau Star, Lenzowannabenzo and others.
The combination of visual art, music and performance helped position AFRICAN ART SPACES as more than a conventional gallery exhibition.
Creating Space for African Creatives
Fresh AF and SPACES AFRICA CCO Jay Kayembe said the initiative was designed to encourage stronger relationships between creatives, platforms and brands.
“At SPACES AFRICA, we are dedicated to elevating creative ambition through authentic and unique collaboration.”
Kayembe added that AFRICAN ART SPACES is intended to create credible opportunities for multidisciplinary creatives while addressing gaps in representation across the industry.
Fresh AF Managing Director Ally Fathana described the initiative as a new approach to art exhibitions, placing artists at the centre of the experience and creating opportunities for direct collaboration between creatives and brands.
The launch attracted a broad audience of artists, tastemakers, collectors, curators, marketers, visual storytellers and culture enthusiasts, reflecting the increasingly interconnected nature of Africa’s creative industries.
AFRICAN ART SPACES ultimately presents a different way of experiencing contemporary art — one that brings artists, audiences, brands, music and culture into the same physical space.
With the platform now extending from Johannesburg to Durban, the initiative aims to establish itself as an annual celebration of Southern Africa’s creative diversity.
