Joburg Art Fair excitement

WORDS Lisa Johnston

Coming up from Friday 27 September to Sunday 29 September at the Sandton Convention Centre, we’re excited for the FNB Joburg Art Fair, which this year turns its lens on the fine art of photography. Here’s a taste of what’s to come.

The often under-appreciated medium of photography takes centre stage at the sixth Johannesburg Art Fair with the featured artist for the year being the acclaimed David Goldblatt. He will show work from his series The Structure of Things Then – and After, which is a rather architectural collection, looking at personal expression through what we make and build. Spanning the years from 1961 to the present, the images tell a story of South Africa’s cultural, political and economic milieu through buildings.

Other notable photography on display includes Roger Ballen’s, which will include a retrospective of his work at the CIRCA Gallery Space stand, as well as the launch of the Roger Ballen Die Antwoord monograph by Jacana books.

Santu Mofokeng’s The Black Photo Album: 1890-1950 will show in a curated space; and Nandipha Mntambo’s new photographic series will take up the Pirelli Space.

The exhibition African Emerging Photography, meanwhile will present an overview of a new generation of African photographers.

Video installations also play an important role in this year’s art fair. Mohau Modisakeng will show his latest video installation, Inzilo, which looks at bereavement and the process of grieving.

The winner of this year’s FNB Art Prize is also a video installation piece. Using 3D video techniques. Uncles & Angels is a collaboration between artist Mocke J Van Veuren and dancer Nelisiwe Xaba, which is based on the Swazi reed dance and explores feminine notions of purity and virginity in a patriarchal context.

Aside from the digital arts, a huge range of artists from various of traditions, including painting, printmaking and sculpture, will be represented by 33 local and international galleries, and featured in 21 special projects.

Tickets are R50 a person on Friday, and R100 a person on Saturday and Sunday, and can be bought online at www.webtickets.co.za. For more information visit www.fnbjoburgartfair.co.za.