5 Things To Look Forward To at Turbine Art Fair 2017

WORDS Amelia Brown

Turbine Art Fair (TAF) is celebrating five years of contemporary South African art at the iconic Turbine Hall, Johannesburg, from 13 – 16 July, so we chose five things we’re looking forward to at this year’s fair.

1. “Conversations About Collecting”, curated by Makgati Molebatsi and sponsored by Artinsure

Panels consisting of collectors and artists will share the stories behind their collections – how they started, what interests and attracts them, why do they continue with their acquisitions. The conversations, which include a discussion with Anton Taljaard on his Pierneef collection (see #4), will explore these motivations, examining the diverse world of the contemporary art eco-system, the role of the buyer, the artist, the gallery and the art fair.

2. Film Screenings and Guided Walkabouts

TAF is screening two art films on Saturday – Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict and Herb and Dorothy: You don’t have to be a Rockefeller to collect art – and hosting guided walkabouts with artists and curators:

Friday 14 July with Zama Phakathi (5.30pm – 6:30pm / 6:30pm – 7:30pm)

Saturday 15 July with Lawrence Lemaoana (12pm – 1pm / 4pm – 5pm)

Sunday 16 July with Refiloe Nkomo (12pm – 1pm / 3pm – 4pm)

There will also be children’s walkabouts with Robyn Penn (11 – 12:30pm on both Saturday and Sunday) – an accessible, age-appropriate and fun activity to help children understand what an art fair is all about, grasp ways of looking at art and a vocabulary to describe it. The participants get to interact with the exhibition by sticking a sticker on their favourite artwork as if they were buying it. No children under 6 years; groups will be divided into two age groups (6 – 11 and 12+).

3. Graduate Painters Show

Curated by Jessica Webster in collaboration with Amber-Jade Geldenhuys and MC Roodt, the title of the exhibition is touch and features paintings that emphasise surface quality and texture. A variety of painterly forms are focused on, from how thick layers of paint may heighten senses, to how painting in hyper-realistic ways can capture the visual textures of objects and figures.

4. Anton Taljaard’s Pierneef Exhibition

At age 13, Anton Taljaard accompanied his parents, avid art collectors themselves, to collect their latest Pierneef acquisition from a prominent Johannesburg gallery, where he promptly bought his first artwork – a Pierneef linocut. He has been collecting ever since, and today Anton is respected as one of the foremost collectors of modern and contemporary South African art. The exhibition of Pierneef at TAF 2017, co-sponsored by Strauss & Co and Artinsure, is from his collection, ranging from etchings and watercolours to oil paintings, showing the artist’s diversity.

Also on exhibition are the etching plates Pierneef used in his lifetime together with the prints pulled by Pippa Skotnes from the Michaelis Art School, University of Cape Town. Students who are studying Pierneef’s graphic work as part of their curriculum will be demonstrating the linocut technique and showing how the master has inspired their work.

5. Fresh Produce 2017

Fresh Produce, presented by RMB Talent Unlocked and curated once again by Rolihlahla Mhlanga, is aimed at creating an opportunity for young, emerging artists.

Fifteen artists have been selected to exhibit at TAF17:  Johan Stegman, Alexander Von Klitzing, Katlego Modiri, Nkhensani Rihlampfu, Claudia Monyama, Sechaba Meloa, Odette Graskei, Mmabatho Mokalapa, Mary-Lee Makunye, Nosipho Nombuso Maseko, Lutendo Malatji, Christel van der Merwe, Kiyara Ananmalay, Isaac Zavale and Jodi Tracey.

Assemblage, in collaboration with VANSA (Visual Arts Network of South Africa) and Turbine Art Fair, will be running a six-month intensive workshop programme that integrates practical art-making (focusing on process and conceptual development) and professional practice training. The aim is to provide the artists with comprehensive tools to help build and sustain a career in the industry.

The Turbine Art Fair opens with a first-access cocktail event, including canapes and wine, on Thursday 13 July from 6pm – 9pm (tickets are R750 from Webtickets). The main event kicks off on Friday 14 July 11am – 8pm, with live music and artisan food on sale from 6pm; Saturday 15 July 10am – 6pm; and Sunday 10am – 5pm. Tickets cost R100 at the door or R90 online through Webtickets, R50 for children, students and pensioners, and R200 for a weekend pass with access Friday to Sunday.

For more information, visit turbineartfair.co.za, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.