Joburg Art Fair 2008

The first-ever art fair devoted exclusively to art from Africa will be held March 13–16, 2008, in the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

On sale will be the largest collection of African and South African contemporary art ever, covering 5000 square metres of space. Twenty-three galleries from the United States, Europe and Africa will showcase works ranging in price from 1000 to 5 million rands ($150 to $750000).

“The Joburg Art Fair will establish South Africa as an essential stopover on the global contemporary art buying calendar,” says Ross Douglas, director of Artlogic, the company behind the fair.

The fair will include a specially curated show by Simon Njami, chief curator of the highly successful Africa Remix exhibition, as well as the Africa pavilion at last year’s Venice Biennale.

He will be choosing works by artists from across Africa who will not be represented by galleries at the fair. Douglas says Njami’s participation is a stamp of approval on the continent’s first art fair and will set the tone for what will be an annual event.

Robin Rhode, a South African-born, Berlin-based artist known for his inventive, performance-related artwork has also been commissioned to create an installation.

International contemporary art galleries confirmed for the 2008 Joburg Art Fair include the Jack Shainman Gallery of New York and the October Gallery of London.

The galleries have been specially invited so buyers can expect an unparalleled selection to choose from. They will have works on sale from many of the big names, including Zwelethu Mthethwa, William Kentridge, Guy Tillim, David Goldblatt, Peter Hugo and Moshekwa Langa. Collectors and visitors are also invited to discover and explore the groundbreaking innovations of lesser-known African artists.

Artlogic was responsible for bringing William Kentridge’s critically acclaimed Magic Flute production to South Africa last year.

Fair opening hours: Friday, Mar. 14, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 15, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 16, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

galleries: Art Extra Art on Paper Gallery Bell-Roberts Contemporary Gallery David Krut ERDMANNCONTEMPORARY Everard Read Gallery - Cape Town Everard Read Gallery - Johannesburg Galerie Peter Herrmann Gallery Ames D Afrique Gallery Momo Goodman Gallery Jack Shainman Gallery Joao Ferreira Gallery KZNSA Gallery L Appartement 22 Michael Stevenson October Gallery Perry Rubenstein Gallery Rooke Gallery SMAC Art Gallery Stevenson, Graham-Stewart, Borman Townhouse Gallery Warren Siebrits Whatiftheworld Gallery