The final day of talks at the Joburg Art Fair on Sunday saw established artists discussing their exhibited works.
Mary Sibande talked about the development of “Sophie”, her fictitious character modelled on the personality of a Victorian-era black domestic worker who she featured in Long Live the Dead Queen, her solo exhibition held at Gallery MOMO last year. For Sibande, who comes from a family of domestic workers, Sophie represents the idea that anything is possible as she escapes domestic chores to frolic in Victorian-inspired garb.
Mary Wafer discussed her use of paint as a medium to describe what she claims is “the sinister violence present in all corners of Johannesburg”. For Wafer, living in Johannesburg means “strapping on your armour” as you wake up every morning, never knowing what you may encounter during the day.
Penny Siopis attracted the biggest audience to her talk — not surprising since she has taught so many at Wits where she is professor of fine arts. She also has an international reputation and gained from her relationship with gallery Michael Stevenson in Cape Town. Siopis focused on the physical process of creating her glue and ink works. She explained how she works with glue as a medium, tilting and shifting her flat canvas at various angles allowing the glue and ink to run into forms.
Garth Walker, founder of graphic design magazine iJusi, spoke of his fascination with South African street signage, providing a few colourful examples that were received with good humour from the audience. Walker has unfortunately stopped printing iJusi due to a lack of financial support, and seemed hesitant at the idea of exploring digital publishing when questioned on the potential this medium has in reviving the publication, which gained an international reputation.
‘Art-attuned audience’
Reflecting on his experience as an exhibitor at the fair, Brendon Bell-Roberts, publisher of Art South Africa magazine, said it is a successful vehicle for those involved in the art industry to engage with the general public. The Joburg Art fair, Bell-Roberts believes, brings the entire industry under one roof, providing an obvious networking opportunity. This would be of importance to Bell-Roberts, who last year gave up his gallery space.
Similarly, Trevyn McGowan of Source, who exhibited locally designed furniture in partnership with Southern Guild, said that the fair attracts an “art-attuned audience” who contribute to conversation around South African art and design. McGowan was pleased to report positive sales of her exhibited merchandise and maintained that she would continue to be involved in the Joburg Art Fair in the future.
Gallery owner Justin Rhodes from Cape Town-based Whatiftheworld said that the fair is important for galleries to attend as it allows them the opportunity to understand their niche in the market and see where they fit into the greater landscape of South African art galleries.
Katrin Lewinsky from Co-Op, a Johannesburg-based design collective, believes that the fair was a resounding success. She said that the Joburg Art Fair plays an important role in bringing art to the market, making it easily accessible for industry players as well as the public as it affords anyone who attends a snapshot of the best of contemporary South African art.
Attracting more than 3 000 visitors on Saturday alone, this year’s Joburg Art Fair proved to be a sensation among the public and art industry alike.