Contemporary African Art Tour of South Africa

Arriving at Johannesburg International Airport, the group of art aficianados enjoyed VIP assistance through customs and immigration before being assisted to their transfers to their hotel for a welcome lunch. Day one included a visit to see the Constitutional Court’s art collection and its fusion of architecture and art, featuring works by artists such as Marlene Dumas, William Kentridge, Dumile Feni, Judith Mason, John Baloyi and many others.

The group returned to their hotel after the tour to freshen up before dinner at a local gallery owner’s home. The next day was dedicated to see Maboneng’s Arts of Main to meet Mikhael Subotzky and learn about his film, video, and photographic works, followed by the Standard Bank Gallery, for a curated visit of the David Koloane retrospective. A visit is to the Stevenson Gallery to view pieces by Zanela Muholi and Kemang Wa Lehulere was next on the agenda before a well deserved lunch at The Goodman Gallery. There was still enough time to take in a trip to Houghton Estate, where the art lovers visited the studio of William Kentridge before returning to the hotel to freshen up in time for the SAFIM Gala dinner at Saint Restaurant.

Day four of the group’s tour led them to visit the Apartheid Museum and Soweto township, where they also enjoyed a local lunch. After lunch the group transferred to the airport for their flight to Cape Town, where they were taken by road to The Mount Nelson hotel before an appointment for a viewing of the private collection and a special dinner at the home of a South African collector.

After a good night’s rest, day five of their trip was dedicated to visiting the A4 ARTS Foundation, a non-profit organisation supporting the arts in Southern Africa, followed by a trip to the Jewish Campus made up of Gardens Shul, Cape Town Holocaust Centre and Jacob Gitlin Library. After lunch, the afternoon was spent at the Irma Stern Museum and the Norval Foundation Art Gallery followed by Shabbat dinner at three local homes. Day seven saw the art aficianados drive to Kraaifontein to meetartist, Willie Bester, at his home, continuing on to Tokara Wine Estate situated on the Helshoogte Mountain Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek for wine tasting. Lunch was booked at the iconic Delaire Graff estate, known for its Gardens and Art.
Following lunch, they proceeded to the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden. After a full day, the group returned to the hotel for a viewing of an African bead collection, sunset drinks and dinner at a local collector’s home.

At the end of their whirlwind tour the group enjoyed their final breakfast, departing for the airport for the next leg of their journey.