#HelloRecommends: Art Galleries Across Mzansi
From street art to sculptures, when looking for new or nostalgic talent, you’ll find it at one of the top art galleries – whether in its traditional form, or not – in Mzansi. #HelloRecommends you visit each one as it is bound to put a smile on your face.
Alice Art Gallery
This gem of an art gallery is located in Roodepoort, Joburg. It’s one of the largest privately owned galleries in Africa, boasting a good reputation locally and internationally. The gallery specialises in South African artists and represents over 100 artists with 4000 artworks. Yes, you can expect a combination of contemporary art, investment art and private collections – carefully chosen to suit the needs of corporate and private clients.
Featured image: Cape Malay by Isabel le Roux
Rupert Museum
Feeling nostalgic and want to take a step back in time? The Rupert Museum and Gallery can be described as a house filled with history. Here, you can view the very unique and private art collection initially started by the late Dr Anton Rupert and his wife Huberte, dating back to the 1940s. Today, the collection continues to grow under the careful guardianship of the Rupert Art Foundation. In addition, Stellenbosch is also a town rich in history, which makes this museum, situated against the beautiful backdrop of vineyards, a must-visit for any art and history enthusiast.
Oliewenhuis Art Museum
You can find this National Museum in the City of the Roses. Located in Bloemfontein and surrounded by twelve hectares of natural vegetation on Grant’s Hill, the sole mission of this museum is to collect, conserve and exhibit works that represent the heritage of South Africa. Furthermore, the house is rich in history and offers many activities for both young and old. If you don’t fancy traditional art, you can go hiking or join the colourful African carousel. This is certainly on of the country’s few art galleries that includes movement and fun. So, count us in!
Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden
Enjoy the epitome of art while you take a walk through the Indigenous Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden that showcases more than 60 works of Dylan Lewis. He is widely recognised as one of the world’s foremost sculptors of animal forms, but he has also recently started to explore the human’s relationship with his or her inner wilderness. When you stroll along the 4km of garden paths, you’ll notice a strong influence of the Japanese aesthetic, wabi-sabi. It is minimalist, but carries through a strong message of acceptance when it comes to transience and imperfection.
Maboneng Street Art
The street art trend is here to stay and now, it is also making space for a new way of exploring art. Immerse yourself in Mzansi’s street art in Maboneng, with a guide by your side. Maboneng is filled with works from artists who innovatively express themselves; people who find interesting and beautiful ways to be creative. From murals to clever advertising, it’s street art at its best.
The colourful, bold street art and cosy cafés will most definitely inspire you to come back for more!
KZNSA Gallery
Durbanites unite through art at the amazing KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts. It’s one of the leading contemporary art galleries in South Africa. Explore the contemporary art on offer at the KZNSA Gallery. In addition, pop in at KZN SA Art Café where you can grab a cup of coffee – a form of art in its own – and a bite to eat.
South Africa is rich in history and rich in talent, for sure and this is but the tip of the iceberg. Go out and explore Mzansi’s art and do let us know which art galleries are your favourite.
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