Affair of the Art

Thanks to potholes and loadshedding, Joburg isn’t shining particularly brightly right now. It’s easy to be glum, but there is still joy to be had, and I continually find it in the local art scene.

I recently went to the launch of Otherscapes at the Johannesburg Contemporary Art Foundation (JCAF) in Forest Town. JCAF blows me away with its unique exhibitions. Last year they showed Frida Kahlo’s work alongside Irma Stern and Indian artist Amrita Sher-Gil. Otherscapes, which is on until November, includes immersive instillations by four contemporary South African artists; Siemon Allen, Wim Botha, Sethembile Msezane and Nicholas Hlobo.

I’m looking forward to Nic Bladen’s upcoming show at Everard-Read Gallery in Rosebank. His lifelike botanical sculptures of plants, many of which we recognise from our gardens, are unmissable. Joburgbased Congolese artist Thonton Kabeya also has an exciting exhibition starting at the Wits Art Museum in August.

jcaf.org.za, everard-read.co.za, wits.co.za/wam