The Cape Gallery is filled with art that speaks of Cape Town's unique African history and heritage. It specifically exhibits art that has that cultural stamp of South African flair, cultivating the roots of art in Africa. The Cape Gallery is situated in the Old City of Cape Town, appropriately surrounded by rich history and Dutch architecture. Following tradition, the gallery still exhibits paintings that describe the land and the plantation of the Western Cape, just as colonialist explorers would have done. The Gallery is set on preserving the history of Cape Town, and that in itself is a great reason to visit the gallery and see where Cape Town came from. -Annchen Marais
Church Street is where you can find the AVA art gallery. It is most likely the one of the oldest not-for-profit galleries of the city and is dedicated to developing the contemporary visual art scene of South Africa. AVA regularly hosts month long exhibitions that showcase performances, paintings, installations, ceramics, and photographs. The gallery has roots that go back all the way to the year 1850 and their presence has definitely shaped the art of the city.
1871 befanden sich lediglich 45 Gemälde in der South African National Gallery. Später wurden britische Werke aus dem frühen 20. Jahrhundert ausgestellt. In den 80er Jahren fand jedoch ein Wandel statt. Immer mehr einheimische Künstler fanden ihren Weg ins Museum. 1990 wurde das Konzept des Museums völlig neu definiert. Ausschliesslich Künstler des afrikanischen Kontinents sind hier ausgestellt, mit besonderem Fokus auf die südlichen Regionen. Ausgestellt sind u.a. Gemälde, Fotografien, Textilien und Skulpturen. Die National Gallery ist der Fixpunkt einheimischer Kreativität.
The Stevenson art gallery, located in a building that goes by the name Buchanan in the suburb of Woodstock, features works of talented contemporary artists. Through its FOREX program, it has been able to exhibit works of internationally renowned artists such as Thomas Hirschhorn, Walid Raad, Glenn Ligon and Rineke Dijkstra. This gallery is the genuine article, the real deal and the real McCoy in all of Cape Town. The expansive space, the depth and the information provided by the staff make it both moving and informative. Even if it’s your first visit to the gallery, you will feel at home, in your element and never out of depths. Quickly, you are in the company of fellow art lovers in what is a very pleasant experience in conviviality. Regardless of whether it’s a seasoned art lover, a dilettante or just someone looking for a pleasant afternoon, Stevenson has something for everyone’s palate. Or should we say “palette?” Admission is free.
Goodman Gallery is one of the shining stars in Africa's contemporary art circuit. In Cape Town, the gallery is located in the old Fairweather House, and is a premier venue for art exhibitions and art festivals. Showcasing the works of top artists and painters, Goodman Gallery gives its visitors something to ponder over. Every display has a topical value and narrates a typically African tale. The gallery is a wonderful platform for budding artists in the country and abroad. Goodman Gallery is one of the most intriguing places to be; it has the power to turn you into an art-lover. Check website for upcoming exhibitions.
Salon91 is a beautifully low key gallery in the Gardens area, and is truly a hidden gem. The gallery is filled with amazing art pieces from the country's up and coming artists as well as established artists. Salon91 is an open, extremely well curated gallery space that will host anything from fine arts as well as design. As a matter of fact, Salon91 manages to cleverly bridge the gap between art and design by carefully choosing the artists they host. It is a must see if you are looking for a fresh take on contemporary South African art. -Annchen Marais
Originally a tiny gallery in Cape Town’s City Centre, the WhatiftheWorld Gallery has since moved to bigger premises in what is becoming the rising creative neighborhood of Woodstock. Selected in 2007 by Contemporary Magazine in London as one of the Top 50 Emerging Galleries from Around the World, the gallery has become a hot platform of emerging contemporary South African artists. As a big supporter of local talent the gallery has launched the careers of several young artists and hosts regular critically-acclaimed solo and group exhibitions. It is one of the hottest galleries on the Cape Town arts scene and ideal for scouting out the local scene.
This exquisitely designed art gallery was opened in the year 2010 by director and owner Christian Barnard. The gallery is situated in Newlands. It is known for being the home of a select yet modest set of contemporary artists. Many of whom have been well received and awarded for their work. Collaborative projects, group shows and solo exhibitions keep the gallery busy all year round.