For a full guide to what’s on in Joburg, check out our online events calendar and subscribe to our newsletter guide to Joburg published every Thursday morning.
Here are the art events we recommend checking out this week.
EXHIBITION OPENING & PERFORMANCE: The owners of the Earth (Vissaquelo) by Kutala Firmino
EXHIBITION OPENING SAT AUG 11 at 17:00 & PERFORMANCE BY THE ARTIST at 18:30, Kutala Firmino is a multimedia artist, based in Johannesburg whose work engages with her feelings of responsibility – to tell her own story and also to share the stories and histories of those women who have come before her. Opening event and performance takes place at Everard Read CIRCA Gallery.
EXHIBITION OPENINGS: Colossal by Anton Smit and group exhibition Vivid Identity at Artyli
OPENING EVENT SAT AUG 13 at 14:00, Artyli hosts two exquisite new exhibition openings. Vivid Identity is a group exhibition by contemporary African artists, and Colossal by Anton Smit features a selection of monumental sculptures installed throughout Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City. The exhibition has transformed the public spaces across the complex in the most delightful ways. To add to the magic the launch features live jazz by Ismail Avzal, delicious snacks, and a glass of wine to enhance your experience while you take in the inspiring works by talented artists. There will also be a guided walkabout with artist Anton Smit, to join email deby@artyli.com. Walkabouts take place from 14:30 and again at 15:30 on Sat Aug 13 and 10:00 on Sun, Aug 14. Read more about these exhibitions here.
ARTIST BOOK LAUNCH & TALK: William Kentridge and Warren Siebrits at Rand Club
LAUNCH ON SAT AUG 13 at 11:00, Internationally acclaimed artist, William Kentridge, and renowned South African art collector and historian, Warren Siebrits, discuss the Kentridge family and their ties to Johannesburg spanning over three generations. Siebrits and Kentridge have recently published the Domestic Scenes book which will also be launched at the event. Read more here. Tickets R150.
TRIBUTE EXHIBITION: HER EYE ON THE STORM: A tribute to Gisèle Wulfsohn at Wits Art Museum
OPENING EVENT TUES AUG 16 18:00, This tribute exhibition hosted at Wits Art Museum is a visual homage to the extensive work and life of an important activist and social documentary photographer, Gisèle Wulfsohn. Curated by independent curator Beathur Baker, it includes more than 35 years of photographs that reflect on women’s rights, children’s communities, and the importance of equal access to healthcare and treatment.
INSTALLATION: Resonance by Jenny Nijenhuis at Con Hill
UNTIL 28 AUG, Constitutional Hill presents a new public art installation by Jenny Nijenhuis in collaboration with Lizamore & Associates at the Women’s Prison Atrium. The installation is open to the public to view over August, Women’s Month, to mark a significant time of change. Consisting of a handmade white dress stitched with red thread, Resonance contemplates the escalation in gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa as it intensified during Covid 19 lockdowns.
EXHIBITION: FEVER, RETURNS at Kalashnikovv Gallery
UNTIL 27 AUG Tues – Sat 10:00 – 15:00, Kalashnikovv Gallery exhibits the works of artists Tyra Naidoo, Alka Dass, and Saaiqa. All three artists are a part of the Kutti Collective, a collective of independent artists.
Click here to see our events guide round-up.