A blast of art

WORDS Debbie Loots

Catering to all tastes and pockets is Joburg’s Turbine Art Fair this weekend, from 26 to 28 July. It is an exciting new addition to the arts calendar where work by up-and-coming as well as established South African artists will be on show.

Held at the Forum/Turbine Hall in the Newtown Cultural Precinct, the Turbine Art Fair promises art lovers as well as prospective buyers a feast of affordable art ranging from photography and prints to paintings, drawings and sculpture.

Whether it’s contemporary you’re into or traditional, whether you want to play it safe and buy a work by a well-known artist or place your bet on that undiscovered gem, you’ll find it here. All that’s needed is passion for art and some money in your pocket – anything from R1000 to R25 000 will do the trick. And, with works from over 20 Cape Town and Johannesburg galleries to choose from, you’re certainly spoilt for choice.

A little overwhelmed, not sure what to buy, money burning your pocket? It’s all covered. Talks by art experts on both Saturday and Sunday range from the contemporary South Africa art market to collecting art. So, if you are a novice at this business, be sure to attend one of these before handing over your cash.

For those in a hurry to get in there first, go to the exclusive opening preview event on Friday 26 July. Good food and wine will be served and the Radium Jazz Trio is the lively entertainment for the evening. Tickets are R300 per person.

On Sunday morning Brenda Sisane of Kaya FM will broadcast live from the venue, where after the Radium Jazz Trio will again ease you back into the week ahead.

Throughout the weekend, Staedtler will provide a childcare service and the Forum Company’s chef’s table will cater for patrons’s culinary needs.

Save time and money: buy tickets online for R50 from webtickets.co.za or at the fair on one of the days for R70. More info: www.turbineartfair.co.za