A work by Goodness Nhlengethwa

Another by Pat Sithole

The organisers (main culprit is Ross Douglas) of the Joburg Art Fair have kept us hanging this year. They delayed their fabulous fair by 6 months, and we’ve had to wait not so patiently. But it’s almost September, and it’s almost time to be treated to a wonderful collection of art, and galleries in one single space – the Sandton Convention Centre. This year the fair has been rebranded the FNB Joburg Art Fair to acknowledge its main sponsor.
FNB will launch its art prize this year, the FNB Art Prize. The finalists have already been selected. They are Athi-Patri Ruga, Cedric Nunn and Nirveda Alleck. And the winner will be announced at the opening night of the fair on the 22 September, and will win the nice little prize of R100 000 in cash.
Over the weekend 23 – 25 September, there will be talks, special projects and lots of fun.
The 23 galleries which will be showcasing work by their artists were selected to “present contemporary African art as it exists locally, on the continent and in the rest of the world”, the fair’s press release states. Besides what will be a carefully curated and selected representation of the best of our art world, another highlight for me will be the special guest speaker from London. The director of the Tate Modern will be delivering the key note address, “Audiences: How much do we really care.”

There is much much more on the programme. Check out www.fnbjoburgartfair.co.za

I am gushing, I know, but it’s truly an event not to be missed.