24 December 2007

First National Bank (FNB) has announced their sponsorship of Africa's first contemporary art fair, to be held in Johannesburg in March 2008.

On sale at the Joburg Art Fair will be the single largest collection of African and South African contemporary art ever, covering 5000 square metres of gallery space.

"The Joburg Art Fair will establish South Africa as an essential stopover on the global contemporary art buying calendar," Ross Douglas, director of Artlogic, said in a statement on Thursday.

Artlogic, the company behind the fair, was also responsible for bringing William Kentridge's critically acclaimed production of The Magic Flute to South Africa.

Contemporary African art showcased at the Joburg Art Fair will range in price from R1 000 to R5-million.

"Art is becoming an attractive investment, and we are confident that the price range available will allow a variety of individuals to gain access to this important asset," said First National Bank CEO Michael Jordaan.

According to Douglas, what makes art fairs so attractive is that they provide buyers with a single point of access to a wide range of galleries that have the credentials and experience to profile top artists.

"There is also transparency - potential buyers can see a cross-section of work in a short space of time," Douglas said.

One of the objectives of the Joburg Art Fair will be to drive the reputation and sales of contemporary African art. "Art is big business all over the world - but less so here," Douglas said.

The fair will include a specially curated show by Simon Njami, chief curator of the highly successful Africa Remix exhibition, as well as the Africa pavilion at this year's Venice Biennale.

Njami will be choosing a selection of art from artists throughout Africa who are not represented by galleries on the fair, and all these will be on sale. Douglas said Njami's participation was a stamp of approval for the continent's first art fair, and would set the tone for what will be an annual event.

International contemporary art galleries confirmed for the 2008 Joburg Art Fair include the Jack Shainman Gallery in New York and the October Gallery in London.

The galleries have been specially invited to participate, so buyers can expect a discerning selection to choose from. Galleries will have works on sale from many of the big names, including Zwelethu Mthethwa, William Kentridge, Guy Tillim, David Goldblatt, Peter Hugo and Moshekwa Langa.

The Joburg Art Fair will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 13 to 16 March 2008.

SAinfo reporter

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	Simon Njami, chief curator of the highly successful Africa Remix exhibition, will curate a special show for the Joburg Art Fair (Image: Africa Remix)

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	Joburg Art Fair  Artlogic  First National Bank  City of Johannesburg

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