Art is a home for the youth. Due to its inherent nature of freedom, it has always offered a medium for young minds to flourish.
Art galleries offer a space for this home, and in Cape Town, we are privileged enough to be surrounded by some of the most inspiring galleries in the country, and arguably, the world. From encouraging emerging artists, to showcasing some of SA’s youngest creative talents and offering thought-provoking messages, these galleries make youth visual.
Here are some of our picks for the top art gallery youth-allies in the Mother City, as well as why they’ve earned that title.
Youngblood Africa is self-described as a space in which emerging artists can become sustainable. Naturally, the concept of being inviting to emerging artists, welcomes the youth rush. Their name also hints quite strongly at what they’re interested in supporting.
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“Each month Youngblood curates a full 3 storey exhibition. The exhibitions open on each First Thursday of the month. The aim is to provide new and upcoming artists with a professional environment in which to show and sell their works directly to the public,” says Youngblood.
One of Youngblood’s recent exhibitions was called ‘Authentic’ which was dedicated to “young creatives in Africa, and [focused] on how contemporary African culture and design has evolved over the years.”
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This exhibition showcased the work of the artist, Buhle Nkalashe (born in 1994).Nkalashe was named the “Best Young Artists” in the Saatchi Art catalogues and collections.
Youngblood’s recent event, ‘Inspiration’ also showcased youthful inspirations including works of young artists like George Gibbens.
Another extremely cool and youthfully supported project is their collaboration with Open Streets. Open Streets is a citizen-driven initiative aiming to change how people use and perceive streets.
Smac is another incredible contemporary art museum. Due to their contemporary nature, they’ve also attracted many youthful artists, some of whose artworks are showcased in solo exhibitions.
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They showcased the solo exhibition of Bonolo Kavula, A.K.A the ‘Black Monalisa’ (born in 1992) entitled ‘Sewedi Sewedi.’
Additionally, they’ve had the likes of Luyanda Zindela (born in 1991) who was a succesful part of their residency programme.
In honour of Youth Day, Norval Foundation organised a children’s tour dedicated to ‘The Reunion’, their exhibition led by artist Georgina Gratrix.
Stevenson has represented many youthful artists over the years, as well as youthful muses.
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Their current Cape Town exhibition presents Citoyen du Monde by Meshac Gaba. The exhibition explores identity and nationalism, particularly cultural identity, something which many young people can relate to.
They’ve also presented exhibitions by locals like Zander Blom’s Garage-sim, which focused on childhood fascinations.
An upcoming event is titled “MY WHOLE BODY CHANGED INTO SOMETHING ELSE”. It’s set to feature films by Aziz Hazara (born in 1992) and Monilola Olayemi Ilupeju (born in 1996).
Goodman has long been known as a gallery that represents artists whose works “confronts entrenched power structures and inspires social change, ” according to the gallery. These factors are like honey to a bee for young artists. Some local artists who as youths were represented by Goodman are Cape Town’s dynamic sibling duo, Hasan and Husain Essop, who won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Visual Art.
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Their recent exhibitions have included ‘Fathom’, which showcased artists like Kiluanji Kia Hendra, whose work in his humour have explored an identity and political based rationale. His work has served as inspiration for plenty of young artists, given the themes he deals with.
Additionally, the gallery has showcased stunning contemporary works by the likes of Haroon Gunn-Salie (born in 1989).
Zeits Mocca is easily Cape Town’s most popular art gallery. They have an entire project space dedicated to emerging artists, which over the years have curated many young grasshoppers.
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They have represented the likes of the brilliant Bert Pauw (born in 1993) who is known for his quirky taste, Bonolo Kavula (yes, the ‘Black Monalisa’ has been making steady moves) and Francois Knoetze (born in 1989) the performance artist, sculptor and filmmaker.
It’s AVA’s ArtReach project that stands out for them as a youth ally. The project has a focus to nurture South African talent. It has funded workshops, studio rentals and art tuitions. Additionally the project offers mentorship. A notable recipient was iQhiya Collective, who are a network of young black female artists based in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
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A less controversial take on young artists, the Butterfly Project may not be a traditional gallery per se, but it is a home for the art of the very young nonetheless, and in the kindest space. The Butterfly Art Project takes on “training and mentoring for community art facilitators to offer psycho-support for traumatized children and youth from disadvantaged communities.”
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Picture: Youngblood Africa