The 16th edition of the FNB Joburg Art Fair was a celebration of art from both local and international perspectives. Since its inception in 2008, this event has continually expanded its reach, drawing audiences across divides. This year's fair lived up to its exceeded previous editions, offering an array of exhibitions, an indoor sculpture park, thought-provoking talks and engaging book signings. Beyond the fair itself, the FNB Joburg Art Fair has succeeded in turning September into Joburg's Art Month. Significant art-related events take place throughout the city, including at the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG), in Maboneng, and various artists' studios across the metropolis.
The BMW Art Generation 2023, Johannesburg. Art Talk with William Kentridge and Hans Ulrich Obrist presented a week ahead of the FNB Art Joburg. Image courtesy BMW Art Generation and Tatenda Chidora.
The fair was intelligently divided into six sections, catering to different tastes and interests. The lineup of contemporary art galleries, each offering a unique perspective on the art world, was remarkable. Some of the notable galleries included blank, Eclectic Contemporary, BKhz, Everard Read, Gallery MOMO, Goodman Gallery, Kalashnikovv Gallery, SMAC Gallery, Stevenson, Suburbia Contemporary, WHATIFTHEWORLD with Inga Somdyala, Wunika Mukan Gallery, and Village Unhu. These galleries showcased a diverse range of artworks, from paintings and sculptures to cutting-edge multimedia installations.
Works by Brownyn Katz and Moshekwa Langa exhibited by Stevenson at FNB Art Joburg. Image courtesy Stevenson.
The Gallery HUB section featured the country's prominent established galleries such as Goodman Gallery, Stevenson (featuring doyenne Brownyn Katz), Gallery MOMO and Everard Read. This year, as every year, this section was a must-visit for seasoned art enthusiasts. WHATIFTHEWORLD exhibited a noteworthy sculpture by Stenphané Conradie, blank projects showed works by Gregory Olympio, BKhz showed the relatively unknown artist Mankebe Seakgoe, and Gallery MOMO a photography exhibition by veteran artist Andrew Tshabangu.
Mankebe Seakgoe’s The daughter who was raised by the voices in her head was shown by BKhz gallery. Image courtesy BKhz Gallery,
The Gallery LAB section, a by-invitation-only curated by fair manager Kim Kandan and Aida Esi Hayfron-Benjamin, showcases smaller and more experimental galleries and project spaces such as Church Projcts (Cape Town), Wunika Mukan Gallery (Lagos), Ora Loapi (Gabrone), O’DA ART GALLERY (Lagos), Village Unhu, (Harare), Modzi Arts (Lusaka), and Annie Kadji Art Gallery (Doula).
To bring an institutional dimension the ORG section features not-for-sale exhibits by educational institutions Javett- UP, Pretoria featuring a work by the acclaimed artist Oscar Murillo and a booth by Exhibition Match.
Javett-UP exhibited a booth featuring work by Oscar Murillo. Image courtesy Javett-UP.
Perhaps because of its size, a hard-to-miss section at every iteration is MAX. In this area of the fairgrounds a large-scale sculpture exhibition presents itself providing an immersive experience for sculpture aficionados. Highlights included works by Serge Alain Nitegeka and Deborah Bell. The AUX Theatre presented talks, lectures, and book signings which provided a literary dimension to the fair. The talks featured veteran artist and activist Sue Williamson and talent Lebohang Kganye together in conversation and book signings featuring the memorable Billie Zangewa, Ayana Jackson
Last to be mentioned is ECT – a section offering exhibition space for print houses and specialist art publishers, that highlights the importance of traditional and contemporary printmaking. This particularly exciting section features an abundance of books, prints, catalogues and zines. Exciting exhibitors included Atillier le Grand Village, Massignac and iwalewa, Johannesburg, Lagos, and Bayreuth among others including an incredible South African-based cohort of print exhibitors.
Lest we forget, the art fair provided incredible guided tours by seasoned art writers and curators Thulile Gamedze, Phokeng Setai and Ashraf Jamal.
In conclusion, the 2023 FNB Joburg Art Fair stood as a testament to the power of art – not in and only of itself but also about its ability to transform places and spaces – Johannesburg is suffering from neglect, dilapidation and danger but this fair and its surrounding events genuinely lifted spirits. It not only showcased the rich tapestry of artistic talent but also fostered cultural exchange and dialogue, and the city’s people making it a vital event on the global art calendar. As the fair continues to grow and evolve, it promises to be an annual highlight that brings together art lovers across the board, revitalising a struggling city and fostering a thriving artistic community in South Africa and beyond.