South Africa has a strong artistic history dating back over 4000 years from the large collection of artworks on the walls of rock shelters and caves created by the San people to the conceptual art that came about towards the end of apartheid in the 1990s.
With such a rich art history and fascinating contemporary art scenes, South Africa is home to dozens of remarkable art institutions, the majority of which are situated in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Here is a curated list of some of them to visit this year:
The Apartheid museum, an architectural marvel in the heart of Johannesburg was opened in 2001. The Museum, the first of its kind, illustrates the brutal history of apartheid. Celebrations are held at least five times a year to commemorate the end of apartheid and the start of racially diverse democracy for the South African people.
South African National Gallery
The South African National Museum, housed in the famous Company Gardens located in Cape Town, was established in 1930 and became part of the Iziko collection of museums in 2001. The museum is an important art institution with a beautiful collection of South African art history consisting of paintings, prints, lithographs, photography and sculpture from the 17th century to the 20th century and 21st century contemporary art selections from many South African communities.
The gallery building designed by British architect Edward Lutyens was opened in 1915. The gallery houses a wide range of collections including the 17th-Century Dutch paintings, 18th and 19th Century British and European art, works by the Pre-Raphaelites, and a large collection of South African art from the 19th-Century till date. Although the vast collection is usually not displayed all at once and the gallery has suffered some neglect, it remains an important part of the city’s heritage and is often used to host temporary exhibitions of contemporary art by local and international artists.
The Origins Centre museum is “dedicated to exploring and celebrating the history of modern humankind through ancient and contemporary art”. The museum alludes to the notion that the whole of humanity originates from South Africa. The exhibit is an intriguing collection of anthropology and archaeology of the San people, the oldest residents of South Africa, and the development of art, symbolism, and technology on the continent.
Located next to the oldest synagogue in the country, the South African Jewish Museum is an architectural wonder. The museum exhibits interactive displays, audio-visual presentations, and artifacts that are reminiscent of the roots of the Jewish people in South Africa. Although there is a permanent Netsuke exhibit featuring around 200 miniature Japanese carvings, it is important to note that the Jewish heritage is the primary focus.
Housed in an old grain silo that used to be South Africa’s tallest building located on the V & A Waterfront, it is the largest museum of contemporary African art in the world with a vast and impressive collection of art. The museum is used as a space to exhibit, collect and preserve marvellous art pieces and as a venue for art performances.
No The Pretoria Art Museum located in Arcadi was established in 1964 to house the exquisite art collection of the city council of Pretoria. The collection consists of 20th and 21st Century South African art, with the inclusion of awe inspiring works by South African masters. The museum hosts exhibitions from its permanent collection, as well as regular temporary exhibitions by local artists.
The gallery in Tokai, just outside of Cape Town in a cuboid minimalist inspired design building provides a home for contemporary creativity. The gallery is surrounded by sculpture gardens and mountains and is known to host some of the biggest contemporary art exhibitions.
Southern Guild is devoted to local craftsmanship to “cultivate and propel new forms of expression that disrupt the hierarchies between functionality and fine art”. The gallery exhibits everything from jewelry to furniture with a distinct emphasis on high end African designs produced by some of the most talented designers in the country.
