Visiting Johannesburg’s hidden, active art spaces during the launch of Open Studios Joburg
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
We all assembled at Play Braamfontein, a building in Braamfontein that is owned by urbanist, maverick property developer and marvellous story teller Adam Levy. Yes, he in fact is an amazing story teller. It is he who in the past 10 years has emerged as one of the most supporters of the regeneration of old Johannesburg.
That is Johannesburg CBD in general and Braamfontein in particular. Well, he is invested there as he has a solid property portfolio in the area. He continues to invest in the area. He in fact told us that his company was about to buy four other properties there.
So here is someone who is not only interested in the development of Braam, as the area is called in the streets of young Johannesburg, but is also interested in telling the stories of the evolution of Johannesburg, that we all love and hate at the same time.
He believes the best stories of especially old Johannesburg can only be told through the creatives that populate this mad city. Could be either through the food they cook. Art they create. The fashion they design. Actually anything that passes the muster of creativity.
I have listed to him enough over the years to have come to this conclusion. And here we are not talking about the other Johannesburg. For in today’s times there are actually two Johannesburgs: The old and the new.
When we refer to old Johannesburg, just for the context, we are here talking about that old part of the city that everyone who has serious money for property development has abandoned in favour of the new Johannesburg in the northern Suburbs over the past 29 years.
Some even earlier, to set up their offices in the new Johannesburg of Rosebank and Sandton. We are also talking about the Johannesburg that is predominantly white with regards to its demographic profile. The ones with old money that got rich during apartheid, with white privilege on their side.
Old white folks that worked hard for their money and received no favours from apartheid. New white kids who through innovation and education made a break-through in business. The list of the rich in the north is endless. And so is how they got their money.
But this this new Johannesburg is also black with regards to the new rich. Often a curious mix of the typical entrepreneur who built his or her business up from the ground.
Through sweat and innovation. A born free young professional who claimed his space in the north through his academic qualifications and hard work for a corporate or through landing a cushy job in a government department, such as a State Owned Enterprise.
A civil servant whose pay bracket is nothing to talk about, but occupies an important front of house position dealing with the public from whom she or he gets kick-backs for providing a public service. A BEE politically connected individual, whose business of being in business is his connection to the political elite as a former activist in the township or was in exile either in England or the US. Or any other place under the sun. A former unionist comrade. A corrupt tenderpreneur. These live in the north of Johannesburg too. The new Johannesburg.
But there is the other Johannesburg. The one many businesses left as they relocated to the north. This old Johannesburg is a mix of characters working and living in the inner city, replacing those that left the city. The migration to the north started way back before 1994, but gained momentum after. However, as is always the case in history, the old sometimes attracts certain people. Johannesburg is no different. This is the one that some people see a future in, in South Africa. A future that can be built on the back of the old ruins of the City of Gold. The one that attracted all sorts of people in 1886. The good. The bad. The criminals. Fortune seekers. And simply the curious.
The old city also attracts all sorts of people, the creatives telling the stories of our times through paintings, installations, composing songs and creating stage plays as well as dressing us in fashionable clothes. And yes, just like in the past, this Johannesburg also attracts the criminals. Slumlords. Building hijackers. Conmen and conwomen. And of course entrepreneurs. The ones who think out of the box and see opportunities in the old Johannesburg that others do not see. It is these that assist in rehabilitating the crumpling infrastructure and in the process assist other entrepreneurs in the Small and Medium Enterprise Sector (SMMES) to build their own dreams and fortune by providing an enabling environment. It here where business people like Levy fit in in this matrix of the rebuilding and rehabilitating the old Johannesburg.
However the r reason a group of us met last week, journalists, influencers and a big team of publicists linked to the upcoming RMB Latitudes Art Fair, Meta Foundation, the Non Profit Organisation dedicated to promoting inner city based artists and their art practice, led by Sara Hallat, Nandos, the sponsor of the Open Studios Joburg tour, the very reason we all met, was to tour the city looking for art spaces that are artistically active, but are not in the public domain.
Booking.comTherefore Wednesday, May 10, 2023, became a special day for the team as we departed Play Braamfontein at 3.15 on a shuttle, driving to a nondescript part of Fordsburg. Rather to a nondescript building. This building from the outside, is a sort of a building that one ordinarily would pass by carefully. The sort that many in Johannesburg due to its reputation for crime and grime, would simply dismiss as one of the condemned buildings. Probably housing the city’s miscreants and social outfits. The outlaws. In fact I must confess that when we were led into the building, just before we reached the magnificent art studios housed there, I felt my hair rise. Just a bit. I wondered whether one should expect a surprise. Any time. After all those of us who have lived in Johannesburg enough expect such things in certain parts of the city.
But alas, the Lilian Road building did not have such a surprise of the sort I felt I must be prepared for. Instead, it houses a team of creatives, creating beautiful art works that tell the story of our times in Johannesburg. Inside, we saw a number of studios occupied by working artists. Most prominent of them being art academic and artist Gordon Froud. We found him in his studio. As is normally the case with Gordon, he welcomed us with a glass of wine. Yearning for warmth as it was coldish on the day, some of us were too happy to accept the offer of wine as Froud took us on the amazing history of the building and why and how he ended up renting this studio since 2020. This is apart from his other well-known studio on Nugget Street, East of Johannesburg.
Froud explained that a number of artists actually work from there, and it is a place that gives the artists the peace and calm they need to create away from the madness of the city. He went on to say that the building was pregnant with a lot of history as many a famous artist has created amazing art works from there over the decades.
“This building was occupied by several famous people over the years, the most famous of whom being Nelson Mandela, who hid here for two weeks when they were looking for him all over the country (during apartheid), when in fact he was not far from his law offices,” explained Froud.
While in Fordsburg, we were taken to an ice cream parlour that we were told makes the best ice cream in the whole city. Though it was coldish, some of us that tasted the ice cream, did not disagree with the sales pitch.
From Fordsburg, we were driven into deep Johannesburg, to another building housing over 20 artists, where we were welcomed by warm saxophone sounds by a lone performer. Another round of drinks that again kept us warm came our way. Again we did not turn down the offer. Who in his or her right mind would turn down champagne.
We were however soon later taken to the third floor of the building where we listened to an amazing presentation by multidisciplinary artist and curator Mbali Tshabalala. She took us through her process of creating her amazing display of art works adorning the walls of her giant studio. The works are a result of her getting into depression three years ago. Though she did not explain what was the cause of the depression, but by viewing the art works, one got the message that these are haunting artworks from an artist driven deep into contemplation about her own life and space in society. You must see the shadows that lurk underneath these beautiful paintings to understand the state of depression in which the artist found herself in and how she probably used the creation of these pieces to heal.
Just to give a broader context to when these art works were created. Three years ago is when the global pandemic, Covid-19 disrupted the lives of people all over the world as they faced both existential and economic threats. Three years ago, that is also when Tshabalala got married and had her first child.
Could all these factors have led to the depression reflected in these art works in her studio at Asisebenze Studios?
After an articulate presentation by the artist, it was time to depart back to the Play Braamfontein Building, and this time to the 11th floor rooftop where we listened to speeches, enjoyed drinks and tasty food provided bty Nando’s. Of course.
At the end we did not visit all the places where the creatives of Johannesburg hide themselves from the public view and create the great works that we admire at art fairs and exhibitions in galleries. However there is another opportunity waiting for the public to visit the rest of the spaces that we could not squeeze into our limited time on Wednesday.
Below CITYLIFE/ARTS gives you some of the places that will be open to the public from May 27 to May 28, to coincide with the Latitudes Art Fair, where one will be able to visit these places as well as taking a connecting shuttle to the art fair:
OPEN STUDIOS JOBURG
It is back–South Africa’s largest visual arts festival May 27 & 28 from 10:30–16:00.
“In 2022, we welcomed more than 2100 people to OpenStudios.Joburg. The event gave visitors access to more than 100 working artists, in their natural habitat–the studio space. In May 2023, Open Studios Joburg is back, with more artists and spaces to engage visitors.
●Last year 8 spaces in the CDB participated, this year there will be 11
.●The new spaces include Lilian Road Studios, The Rand Club, Play Braamfontein’s studios and Asisebenze Art Atelier.
●155 artists and makers will be participating in this year’s event.
●Selected musical performances will take place during the event
●More shuttles, running in two loops will be provided to provide even better accessto the City
●A Shuttle between the RMB Latitudes Fair and OpenStudios.Joburg will also berunning.Come and celebrate Joburg as one of the world’s art cities, fuelled by a network of studiospaces throughout the inner city that give life daily to Joburg’s status as an art capital.
The 2023 edition of Open Studios
.Joburg will highlight 11 art buildings, spaces or projects across the historical CBD, where visitors are invited to meet the artists, interact with the works, and enjoy a programme of exhibitions, walkabouts, performance and design.
OpenStudios .Joburg will take place over two days, Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May28, 2023 with selected studios being open on these two different days. The studios will be linked via a shuttle service (that is included in the cost of the ticket) that will allow visitors to safely explore the city. The shuttles will move in a loop between the buildings, with transport available every 20 minutes from 10:30 until 16:00.
Tickets are on sale from 17 March 2023. Here are the ticket links:
Saturday 27 May andSunday 28 May. This event was conceived by Sara Hallatt, the Director of the META foundation. The META foundation is a not-for-profit established by Sara Hallatt and David Mayers that offers a dynamic visual arts programme for artists based at Johannesburg’s creative landmark building August House studios. The foundation was formed in 2020, one month before lockdown. We are also excited to announce our partnership with RMB Latitudes, an art fair aimed at celebrating the creative spirit of Joburg’s art world, fostering new relationships in the art world, connecting artists and galleries to buyers and the public and creating new opportunities.
Open Studios. Joburg and RMB Latitudes both support a strong focus on access to markets for artists. From May 26 to 28, Artists and exhibitors from across Africa will transform Shepstone Gardens, a magnificent three-acre property nestled on Hope Road, Mountainview, into a curated celebration of art from the African continent.
- .PROGRAMME DETAILS
- Saturday 27 May from 10:30-16:00 Bag Factory Artists’ Studios LilianRoad Studios
- The Rand Club & Bridge Books
- Play Braamfontein The Creative Uprising (at Transwerke) RMB Latitudes Art Fair
- Sunday 28May from 10:30-16:00 Asisebenze Art Atelier August HouseEllis HouseLiving Artist EmporiumVictoria Yards RMB Latitudes Art Fair
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS-SATURDAY 27 MAY
Bag Factory Artists’ Studios
Candice KramerBev Butkow Usen Obot Gail Behrmann Fouad Asfour Sharlene Khan Kay-Leigh FisherNadia Laila Myburgh Kutlwano Angela Monyai Kagiso Pat Mautloa Richard SpecsNdimande Wezile Harmans LL Editions Erla Haraldsdottir Fatima Tayob Moosa Henrietta Scholz Nyakallo Maleke
Lilian Road Studios
\ Alastair FindlayAda Ruth Kellow Allison Klein Steffen Fischer Gordon Froud Beth McAlpine Xia Cweba Shonisani Netshia Fiver Löcker
Creative Uprising (at Transwerke)
The Arts Company Soweto, The Other Space, BE BRAVE Blvck Block Film and VinylFashion, music, jewellery and design brands: House of DivaMama Kea Floyd Avenue Apparel Tshepang Ramoba Xquizified (HectorDibokoane) Home grown Shandis Arts Culture Trust, The BUZ Factor, Awonke Group SoundBar
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS–SUNDAY 28 MAY
Asisebenze Art AtelierFumani MalulekeMashir KresenshunMbali TshabalalaMichael SelekanePhillip NabotePatrick SeruwuPhenuel ShivambuSibususo MakhungaSiphamandla ExStephen LangaSthembiso ZwaneTawandaMuAfrikaThemba ShabalalaTebogo LouisZamani XabaAugust HouseBekezela MabenaBlessing BlaaiCobus ErasmusDEKOR_ONEDumisani JereFathema BemathJibril Linjoum AchuJohan StegmannKhotso MotsoenengLisa YoungerLindo ZwaneLutho KondloMalose Pete Malwande Ngcingi Mbongeni Fakudze Melissa Haiden Melusi Ntshangase Mbulali IVMpho Machate Olwethu de Vos Percy Maimela Petros Mwenga Rorisang Monanabela Simon Moshapo Solomon Omogboye Tamia Saunders Teboho Makoatsa Terence Maluleke Thembinkosi Sinalo NtuliTivani Mabulele Vivien Kohler Wisani Manyisi Zenande Mkete
Ellis House
Cassius Khumalo Phumzile Buthelezi Blessing Ngobeni Bridget Modema Thokozani Madonsela Siyabonga Mlambi Ladeira Joao Thabiso Dakamela Nadine Mathenjwa Keke Nkadimeng Kganya Mogashoa
Living Artists Emporium
Conrad Bo Danisile Njoli Isaac Mkhwanazi John Nkosi Shadrack Bosman Splash Motong Stoffel Mogano Vincent Mbeje Oni Mkoki Sabelo Mkhaliphi Nisty Chatha Ape LeeIsaac Mkhwanazi Ben Tuge Diezel John Nkosi Kelvin Dube Shadrack Bosman Pro Thusi Mbongeni Mhlongo Mia Mish
Victoria Yards
Through the LenzCollective Deborah Webber Michael Brian Waugh Simone Marie FarahJ ames Delaney Hannelie Coetzee and A Still Life–Johannesburg Stompie Selibe MaCa Studio Arlindo Maunde Calixte Clement Magolide Collective and design houses Coote & Wench ShweYOL Studio by HélèneThomas Wrapt Knitwear Urban Flock
TRANSPORTSHUTTLE SERVICE
Saturday, May 27and Sunday, May 28, 2022
From 10:30 a shuttle service will operate from every venue. The shuttle service is designed as a hop-on-hop-off shuttle with two loops-in a westerly direction, and an easterly direction, allowing visitors to seamlessly move from space to space. Shuttles depart every 20 minutes.
The LAS Tshuttle will depart from its space at 16:00 and will complete one loop. After that, guests will need to make personal use of e-hailing services. On both days a shuttle will connect to the RMB Latitudes Art Fair at Shepstone Gardens. On Saturday, Transwerke will be the hub for transport to the Fair, and on Sunday, the shuttle will run from Living Artists Emporium.
PARKING
See all parking options available to visitors athttps://www.openstudios.joburg/parking
SECURITY
Security will be on site at all venues. Our aim is to make our visitors feel as comfortable as possible.
FOOD AND DRINKS
Food and beverages will be on sale, with different studios offering different options. Please be advised that no outside alcohol, beverages or food is permitted to be brought into the venues
August House
August House in Doornfontein used to be an industrial warehouse, but now it’s home to the studios of 48 artists from across South Africa, the continent, and the world. With five storeys of private art studios, it’s the city’s largest artist studio space. Inside you’ll find a warren of studios, small and large, and a dynamic community of new artists and more established names living and working together, sometimes as neighbours and friends, and often as established art collectives, too.
Some of the most in-demand contemporary artists currently working from August House include Lindokuhle Zwane, Fathema Bemath, and Terence Maluleke, all of whom have shown at South Africa’s most prestigious galleries.
Open studio days at August House present an opportunity to dive right into the artistic process, and to buy art directly from the artists. As you wander around you’ll invariably be invited in to pull up a pew inside an artist’s studio, perhaps with a cup of wine, and engage with their inspirations. On open studio days there’s also always entertainment adding to the atmosphere, be it a performance, live music or afternoon drinks on the rooftop with a view of the city.
August House has limited on-street parking outside of the studio, but on Sunday, 28 May, visitors can use the underground parking space at Access City (located at Gate 1, Lower Ross Street, Doornfontein). If you choose to park in the underground parking, you can then use the shuttle to come to August House.
Bag Factory Artists’ Studios
One of South Africa’s first collective artists’ studios, Bag Factory, launched in 1991 in an old factory in colourful Fordsburg, on the edge of the inner city. Since its inception the non-profit artist studio’s aim has always been to provide a supportive infrastructure and inspiring space in which artists from an array of backgrounds can thrive.
Over the years Bag Factory’s 18 studio spaces have fostered the talents of some of South Africa’s most celebrated contemporary artists. A strong affinity to the studio’s ethos often sees these famous alumni returning to mentor new artists or to donate works to be sold in the annual fundraising Salon Sale. The hall of fame is an impressively long roster of names that includes artists such as co-founder David Koloane, Sam Nhlengethwa, Kagiso Patrick Mautloa, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi, Tracey Rose, Kendell Geers, Lady Skollie, Blessing Ngobeni, and Bronwyn Katz.
An emphasis on collaboration and regular international artists’ residencies means there’s always something different to see, with each artist free to express themselves across their studio space in print, paint, sculpture, light, sound, or any medium takes their fancy. Resident artists are drawn here from across the country and beyond so there’s an intriguingly broad mix of themes to explore, from feminism to the environment; consumerism to spirituality. Debate and cultural dialogue between artists and audiences is encouraged, and a visit is not only an opportunity to discover new art, but also to engage in thought-provoking conversations.
Located at 10 Mahlatini Street, Fordsburg, you are welcome to park outside on the street on Sat, 27 May. The shuttles will collect and drop visitors at the main entrance to the building.
The Creative Uprising (at Transwerke)
Learn about printmaking with TACS at the Creative Uprising Hub (at Transwerke).
What was once the Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital and then flats for Transvaal provincial staff, is now Constitution Hill’s Creative Uprising Hub (at Transwerke). Inside Transwerke’s unassuming walls, more than 60 visual artists, makers, artisans and supporting organisations are creating and changing the landscape of Johannesburg.
You’ll be left with a charge of energy after visiting. In a place where few spaces foster the freeing environment needed for culture to thrive, The Creative Uprising Hub (at Transwerke) offers a glimpse of a city where community, creativity and autonomy are prioritised. We’re excited to see how the hub continues to develop.
On Sat, 27 May, park in the underground parking at Constitution Hill. From there is it a short walk down to Transwerke. The shuttles will collect and drop visitors at the main entrance to the building.
Ellis House
Ellis House Art Studios is a five-storey building housing a mix of emerging and established artists. Established in 2012 by Ian Blacher, Ellis House is home to over 30 artists as well as The Labyrinth Project: a platform for artistic exchange and interdisciplinary experiment. Ellis House features multiple exhibition and workshop spaces and audio-visual facilities. With all programming being artist-led, it offers unique ways of engaging with the works created within its walls.
On Sun, 28 May, visitors can park on-street at 23 Voorhout St, Bertrams. The shuttles will drop and collect visitors from the main parking entrance to the studio building located in Dawe Street.
Lilian Road Studios
Lilian Road Studios captured by 2summers.