Cape Town is known for its rich culture and breath-taking beauty. It’s a city that proudly supports art and expression in every form and embraces a multitude of different people from all over the world. Art is accessible citywide and promoted through efforts like First Thursdays.
The heart of the Mother City certainly has a bustling art scene, but if you wander a little further out to Green Point, you’ll find five gems you don’t want to miss.
This local wonder, set in the Cape Quarter Mall, proudly boasts the status of “largest South African art gallery”. It hosts a curated selection of artworks from artists you’ll recognise to lesser-known individuals we’re confident you’ll be pleased to discover. Works displayed there include pieces by Tyrone Appollis, Carla Bosch, Gail Catlin, Tay Dall and Terry Kobus. In addition, this gallery is home to Pieter van der Westhuizen’s Giclee landscape prints, the classic collection in pristine condition and his etching book.
Known as an International Fine Art gallery, specialising in exclusive signed photographic prints, limited edition collections, and high quality open source photographs, this spot is sure to help you look around with fresh eyes. The gallery opened in July 2010 and besides the framed pieces on display, the gallery also keeps a large quantity of the most popular prints in stock. Represented artists include Antti Viitala, Graham Williams, Harry de Zitter, Klaus Tledge, Koos vd Lende, Peter Corbett, Samantha Lee Osner and Sandy McLea.
Specialising in top South African abstract and contemporary fine art, The Lisa King Gallery also carries a beautiful range of glassware, exotic chandeliers and sculptures. Focused on offering outstanding service and maintaining close business relationships with clientele that include foreign, local and interior designers, this gallery offers you a unique shopping experience. Work from artists such as Andrew Sutherland, Bassa, Glen Tong, Marlene Horak and Verna du Toit can all be viewed (and purchased!) here.
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA)
Opening on 22 September, the Zeitz MOCCA aims to collect, preserve, research, and exhibit twenty-first century art from Africa – a dream that was established through a partnership between the V&A Waterfront and Jochen Zeitz in 2013. It will be the first major museum in Africa dedicated to contemporary art. The grand public opening will take place from 22 to 25 September where you can view all the art and sculptures for free – an event you won’t want to miss!
The Promenade
If you don’t care to walk into a traditional gallery, take a walk along the prom. You’ll be greeted by glorious ocean views, a myriad of fascinating people and some alternative art installations. For example, the giant Ray-Bans sculpture facing Robben Island, the Rhino in the City or the Five White Horses.
The city is bursting with life. Imagine if we all focused on creating rather than damaging this beautiful city… imagine how much more wonderful it could be.