SPACES AFRICA, in collaboration with SA Creatives, recently announced the debut of AFRICAN ART SPACES, an unconventional multisensory exhibition set to redefine the creative landscape. This unique event, curated by artists for artists, continues SPACES AFRICA’s mission to transform creative environments into dynamic platforms for collaboration, innovation, and creativity. Building on the success of AFRICAN FASHION SPACES and AFRICAN MUSIC SPACES, as well as the visions shared during the CR8TOR-CON platform launch in April, AFRICAN ART SPACES brings together Southern Africa’s most compelling multidisciplinary creatives. The exhibition spans contemporary street art, design, and installation art, offering a platform that embraces all artistic disciplines.
Last week, Braamfontein’s culture-friendly Playground in Johannesburg, typically a large parking lot, was transformed into an artistic haven. It featured exclusive and purchasable collections from ten trailblazing exhibitors, including Cee The Creator, Kim Van Vuuren, Naledi Modupi, Zee Feels, Njabulo Hlophe, That Art Kid Lari, Ellsphee, Damn Vandal, OUTSIDETHEWOODS, and Joburg Ash.
The AFRICAN ART SPACES exhibition kicked off with a launch event on Wednesday, July 24, opening to the public the following night. On Saturday, July 27, a surprise exhibition event was hosted in Durban, South Africa, revealing an exciting collaboration between Robertsons Spice, AFRICAN ART SPACES, and six of the ten exhibitors.
This collaboration celebrated Robertsons’ 100 years campaign through a collection of self-expressive curated artworks encapsulating the essence of Robertsons’ creativity and food, dubbed “THE ART OF FLAVOUR.” The featured artists included Naledi Modupi, Zinhle Sithebe (Zee Feels), Njabulo Hlophe, Larissa Mwanyama (That.Art.Kid.Lari), Sphelele Gumede (Ellsphee), and Nolan C Kalwandu (OUTSIDETHEWOODS). This marks the first official brand collaboration for SPACES AFRICA since its inception in 2016, highlighting its commitment to authentic cultural representation.
The surprise exhibition in Durban was held at The Pencil, a prestigious venue home to top business professionals, creatives, socialites, and philanthropists. The Pencil boasts one of the largest and most valuable art collections in the country, where all artworks from the AFRICAN ART SPACES exhibition will be displayed throughout the upcoming month.
Hosted by media personalities Leddi G and Siya ‘Scoop’ Ngwekazi on opening night, Kabelo Moremi on Thursday, and Luthando Shosha at The Pencil in Durban, the three-day event featured eclectic sounds and performances from Maglera Doe Boy, Wendy Ntinezo, FifLaaa, Deniece Marz, and Chaxllie. Additional performances included Shekhina, A-REECE, Yolophonik, Marcus Harvey, Khuli Chana, Tinx, Franadilla, Namakau Star, and Lenzowannabenzo.
Jay Kayembe, Fresh AF & SPACES AFRICA CCO, stated, “At SPACES AFRICA, we are dedicated to elevating creative ambition through authentic and unique collaboration. By combining our expertise within the agency alongside the unconventional SPACES AFRICA platform, we aim to foster a unique and exciting symbiotic relationship between creatives, platforms, and brands, reshaping our entire industry. AFRICAN ART SPACES exemplifies this vision, offering multidisciplinary creatives a credible platform where they often lack representation.”
The event drew a diverse audience of creatives, tastemakers, art collectors, culture connoisseurs, marketers, curators, visual storytellers, and curious explorers from various industries. This marks the beginning of an annual celebration of the region’s rich creative diversity.
“AFRICAN ART SPACES marks the dawn of a new era in art exhibition experiences. Unlike traditional formats, this initiative places artists at the forefront, emphasizing their pivotal role. By fostering direct connections with brands, we empower artists to innovate and collaborate creatively, setting a new standard for artistic expression and commercial success,” affirmed Fresh AF Managing Director Ally Fathana.
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