FNB Art Joburg 2023: Leisure Meets Commerce in Contemporary African Art
This year’s FNB art Joburg mixes leisure and commerce, sending a message to the art world and beyond: contemporary African artists mean business
Returning to the Sandton Convention Centre from 6-8 September, FNB Art Joburg is our next stop in South Africa’s flourishing art and design fair circuit. With over 100 artists exhibiting across seven specialised sections, from photography, books and audio essays to demystifying the contemporary art market, we’re looking forward to FNB Art Joburg’s return for its 17th edition.
The fair is more than a stroll through the halls of a convention centre, and more than simply playing to the gallery; it’s a uniquely immersive gathering where Johannesburg’s art community freely congregate and cross-pollinate, an experience that’s tricky to scale in the gritty city. With 41 exhibitors from 14 countries, visitors to this year’s fair can expect works from internationally renowned galleries representing institutionally recognised artists in the gallery HUB.
As the likes of Everard Read, SMAC, Goodman Gallery, Kalashnikovv and more are featured, art aficionados are sure to see the latest works from their favourite artists. This extends into MAX, where artists from the gallery HUB have the space to exhibit show-stopping large-scale works that would challenge the limited dimensions of the traditional booth. And as a further extension, the gallery LAB will present and test new ideas aimed at transforming the contemporary African art landscape.
In addition to contemporary art, photography as a medium plays an integral role in South Africa’s cultural community. Particularly important in light of our celebration of 30 years of freedom this year, in GIF, the medium of photography in Africa is honoured through works by photographic stalwarts Alf Khumalo, Ernest Cole and Peter Magubane.
‘Parallel to being a blue-chip survey of contemporary African art, FNB Art Joburg prides itself on its year-long support of various facets in the ecosystem. In maintaining this attentive, nurturing culture we have also been able to fulfil our aim for economic stimulation, inclusivity and access for all, with 16-plus days of culture through Open City,’ says Mandla Sibeko, Managing Director of FNB Art Joburg.
Text by Kimberley Schoeman