by Peggy Mapondera
This year, I attended the FNB Joburg Art Fair for the third time in a row, and once again, it was nothing short of wonderful. What you want out of a fair is some familiarity but also new discoveries that inspire and reawaken your love for art. This is exactly what the FNB Fair delivered this year.
The Stevenson Gallery booth was cozy and well set up, with some truly fascinating works on display. Simphiwe Ndzube, Walter Battiss, Moshekwa Langa, and Cian-Yu Bai all contributed to the gallery’s impressive lineup. One piece I kept coming back to was Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi’s painting titled Spectator II (2024). It drew me in with its depth and power, leaving a lasting impression throughout my visit.
Troy Makaza’s work at the First Floor Gallery booth is always a pleasure to see, and this year was no different. His creativity and innovative approach to material are unparalleled. Among the young, emerging artists, Again Chokuwamba stood out with great potential, and his painting was one of my absolute favorites from the fair. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
Seeing Wallen Mapondera’s return to paint on canvas was another exciting moment. I absolutely loved his new paintings; they felt fresh yet deeply connected to his signature style. It was also a pleasure to discover the work of Serge Alain Nitegeka. Getting a deeper understanding of his practice, which documents his personal history as a displaced person, added layers of meaning to his already striking pieces.
The SMAC Gallery booth always brings a sense of fun and energy to the fair. Frances Goodman’s works held my attention with their boldness and complexity. Similarly, Misheck Masamvu’s work at Goodman Gallery never fails to captivate me, and this year was no exception.
The Bkhz booth is one I always look forward to. Their setup is consistently the best at the fair, and 2024 was no different. Standout works for me were Wonderbuhle’s Listen with Your Eyes (2024) and Terence Maluleke’s The Ones Left Behind (2024). They left me contemplating the narratives of African identity and experience. Another favorite discovery was Nedia Were, represented by Cape Town based Eclectica Contemporary. His painting was nothing short of magical. The way he uses black paint to capture the depth and richness of black bodies is utterly fascinating.
Another standout was Waiting for Love by artist Doudou Mbemba. The presence of galleries from outside Southern Africa, like the Congolese gallery Malabo, was refreshing, and I truly hope they return to future fairs. Raymond Fuyana’s Regular Time: Great Wall of China (2024) at Guns and Rain Gallery was another piece I thoroughly enjoyed. The cultural fusion in his work was both unique and intriguing.
A visit to the eclectic home of collector and creative Marianne Fassler was a delightful treat. Her home is filled with artistic treasures, including works by Blessing Ngobeni and Gresham Nyaude. The collection felt like a seamless extension of the vibrant and dynamic spirit of the fair.
Meeting the legendary Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi at the Everard Read Gallery was an honor. The gallery had some previously lost works on display, making it a significant moment for me as a collector and admirer of her incredible legacy.
The experience wasn’t limited to the fairgrounds. A visit to the Bkhz gallery in Keyes Art Mile gave me further insight into the work they’re doing to foster emerging talent.
And the artist walkabout at Joburg Art Gallery with Lindokuhle Sobekwa (2023 FNB Art Prize Winner) was emotionally charged and unforgettable. Sobekwa’s exhibition traced his journey through grief and self-discovery while exploring the search for truths behind his sister’s disappearance and untimely death. He is an extraordinarily gifted photographer whose work left a deep emotional impact.
All in all, this year’s FNB Joburg Art Fair exceeded my expectations. It was an immersive experience that reawakened my passion for art and left me excited for what the future holds for African contemporary art.
See my photo album below for more photos taken at the fair.
Peggy Mapondera is a Zimbabwean art collector, whose colletion, The Mapondera Collection, includes some of the leading contemporary artists praticing in Zimbabwe today. She live and collects in Harare, Zimbabwe
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