Art Galleries in South Africa

South Africa is blessed with a diverse range of visual arts ranging from ancient rock art to the contemporary.

There is consequently a flotilla of reputable commercial art galleries concentrated largely in the major centres. These galleries not only sell original art works, at competitive prices, but they also host regular solo or group exhibitions with emphasis on home grown talent.

As one of the undisputed highlights of any trip to South Africa, the city of Cape Town has more than its fair share of recommended art galleries:

The Table Bay Gallery is situated in one of the iconic landmarks of Cape Town, the V&A Waterfront. The custom-designed interior affords space to a number of genres including bronze sculptures, ceramics, authentic SA oils, water colours and mixed media representations.

The Kalk Bay Gallery can be found in the quaint fishing village of Kalk Bay, about 15 minutes from the centre of Cape Town. It has an enduring reputation of carrying the most comprehensive collection of SA originals in the nation. An added incentive is its location where restaurants, pubs and delis rub shoulders with second hand book stores, antique outlets and bric-a-brac shops. 

The Alfred Mall Gallery is set in the heart of Cape Town's most popular attraction, the V&A Waterfront, known for its premier shopping experience. Apart from the extensive collection of South African prints, the gallery houses a number of mixed media paintings, ceramics and bronzes.

The South Africa Art Collection is located in the visitor's hub of the V&A Waterfront, close to both the Nelson Mandela Museum and the departure point to the notorious Robben Island. The bright interior showcases a number of local genres including Township Art, Abstract Art and Wildlife Art.

Johannesburg, the commercial centre of South Africa, has a vast number of galleries including:

The Hyde Park Art Gallery, located in the luxurious heart of Sandton, is a regular host of exhibitions dedicated to the extraordinary talent of local practitioners. Pieces vary from the contemporary to antique African artefacts.

Gallery on the Side has one of the largest collections of fine art in the country, boasting over 2000 pieces housed in the typical ‘boma' style. It too is situated in the core of the city's business and residential centre, Fourways in Sandton.

A number of ‘rural' galleries are located away from the bustle of the cities in areas associated with high volumes of visitors:

The Vineyard Gallery is set in the gastronomic capital of the Cape, Franschhoek, renowned for its splendid wines, award-winning cuisine and outstanding views of the surrounding mountains. The light and bright interior showcases local land and seascapes, African wildlife, vibrant Township Art and more.

Gallery Hermanus can be found in the sea-side village of Hermanus, an hour and half's drive from Cape Town. Primarily known for its premier whale watching, the region is a popular holiday hideaway for locals. It has an interesting collection of South African originals and prints as well as authentic African artefacts.

South Africa's unprecedented cultural diversity ensures a rich and ever changing tapestry of arts and crafts. Fine Art Portfolio provides a sample of their art for sale on their online South African art galleries.