RMB Latitudes Art Fair attracts hordes of people, including the youth
One of the booths to check out at the art fair is Nike Airmax Residency display curated by Mama ka Shaka. It oozes character and personality.
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
This year’s edition of RMB Latitudes Art Fair, which us currently on at Shopstone Gardens, and which opened on Friday, May 22, and is running till Sunday, attracted hordes of art coll.
Of particular interest, and maybe even curiosity is the number of young people among the attendees.
I went there on Friday, May 22, 2026, and noticed a huge number of the youth among the visitors, and they showed genuine interest and curiosity as they savored the art works on on display in the various booths, owned mostly by galleries and a few by institutions.
The participating galleries and institutions seem to have gone all out to create not just beautiful objects, but art works telling the collective narrative of African life as lived in the participating countries, with Nigeria in particular, taking centre stage as a featured country this year at the art fair.
The art on display captures various aspects of contemporary life in Africa, as well as the art practices of the artists represented by the various galleries at the art fair.
I found the experience of being surrounded by the various displays of art by the various galleries and institutions to have a calming effect. Art is indeed spiritual and therefore, healing.
If you are in Johannesburg this weekend, it is advisable to consider attending the fair. That experience will leave you with something to talk about, even grabbing for yourself a quality piece of art.
In this photo essay, CITYLIFE/ARTS gives you a curated sample of what to expect at the fair, should you decide to go there. After all experience the art fair personally is better than what words could describe.
The art fair runs till May 24, 2026, and therefore there is still time for those who would like a dose of good eat to feats their eyes and other senses on. Really beautiful art works are up for the grabs for those who wish to embark on a journey of collecting quality art, some of which are of museum quality.
Academic-turned consultant was among those that attended the art on Friday.
“The experience has been a fulfilling one. I really enjoyed the viewing experience,” she told CITYLIFE/ARTS.
“Most of the visitors are pass through here are attracted to Asanda Kupa’s art work,” commented Nonhlanhla Mahlangu of Artyl Gallery. I found her manning this Sandton bsed gallery at the art fair.
All in all, I enjoyed viewing most of the art works on display, but one booth that immediately caught my attention when passing through, is the Nike Airmax one, which features three sections: art works that were created by young artists mentored by Bahati Simoens, a recorded music section created by famous DJ, Durban Gogo, and the fashion section, which attracted the most viewers of the three section, a creation of young designers mentored by none other than leading South African designer Thebe Magugu. This tasteful display of fashion items, art and music came to be as part of the Nike Art Residency initiative.
Mama ka Shaka curated this booth,” said Mhudi Twala who I found manning the booth. Mama ka Shaka is Nandi Dlepu, who founded a super cool lifestyle space in Braamfontein, called Mama Ka Shaka. It is clear that this stunning display at the art fair was designed with Mama Ka Shaka’s aesthetics in mind. The display oozes character and personality, just like Mama ka Shaka the famous lifestyle venue in Braam.