A new study has put Cape Town at the centre of the African art world, naming the Mother City the leading art capital for its readily available artistic experiences.
According to The South African Art Market: Pricing & Patterns study by Corrigall & Co, Cape Town has beaten out challengers like Johannesburg, Marrakesh and Lagos to claim the top spot.
The report offers an extensive analysis of each city’s gallery landscape and price trend in the country. The results are based on data gathering and the analysis of 52 commercial art galleries, 198 exhibitions and art fair prices list of 194 artists as well as interviews with industry leaders.
The study shows that roughly 50 new art platforms have emerged in South Africa since 2007 with around 70% of them being commercial galleries.
Cape Town managed to outweigh Johannesburg due to it reputable establishments including Zeitz MOCAA and the Norval Foundation.
The Mother City is also home to the largest art fair on the continent, the Investec Cape Town Art Fair. The city also manages to garner support from international galleries with galleries based in Europe also contributing towards the fair.
“Much of the reason that the art platforms in Cape Town enjoy a higher status is that they are located in a tourist magnet. Some galleries say up to 70% of sales in this city are to foreign visitors,” says Mary Corrigall, the founder of Corrigall & Co.
While Johannesburg may have an art scene it doesn’t compare to the experience the Mother City offers coupled with our natural beauty, beaches and activities.
“Cape Town is famed for its natural wonders; beaches, Winelands, and mountains. So when you consider what our art community is competing with, it’s something visitors can perhaps be forgiven in overlooking. But while forgiveness is granted, excuses will not be accepted. That’s because the art scene in Cape Town can and should no longer be ignored,”adds Briony Brookes, PR and Communications Manager at Cape Town Tourism.
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