Put together by the The Melrose Gallery, South Africa's largest sculpture exhibition returns to Melrose Arch for the third year in a row. SculptX 2019 will take place from 30 August to 29 September.
What Is SculptX 2019?
Over 200 artworks created by more than 90 established and emerging local sculptors will be showcased in numerous indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the Melrose Arch Precinct, creating a meander route throughout the precinct. Spaces to visit are not limited to sidewalks and the retail galleria, but include The Melrose Gallery itself, the luxurious Daytona showroom, Stanlib, the African Pride Hotel and Letsema Holdings.
SculptX was formed by The Melrose Gallery, in association with Melrose Arch, to provide a valuable platform to promote sculpture art and sculptors to those who live, work and play in the precinct, as well as art collectors and enthusiasts in general. SculptX provides emerging sculptors with the opportunity to exhibit alongside some of our most established artists, which is often not the case.
The Sculptors
Participating artists include such notables as Noria Mabasa, Willie Bester, Pitika Ntuli, Vusi Khumalo, Wilma Cruise, Gordon Froud, Adejoke Tugbiyele and Strijdom van der Merwe, among numerous others.
Megan Theunissen and Ruzy Rusike, the curators, have considered more than 350 works in order to select over 200 sculptures for showcase this year. These come from different cities throughout South Africa and include numerous mediums ranging from bronze, steel, found objects and stone to wood, crystal, glass, grass, fibre glass, carbon fibre and even virtual reality.
“This fair is quite an assault on the senses, but in an extremely stimulating and positive way. To see so many sculptures in one area representing so many different media and styles is very rare and has proven extremely popular, consistently attracting a large crowd of artists, art collectors, art enthusiasts and media alike”, Craig Mark – The Melrose Gallery director.
Sculptures In Conversation
The Fair is accompanied by the ‘Sculpture Dialogues’ which consist of a panel discussion involving experts who will discuss issues of pertinence to sculpture in Africa.
The Melrose Gallery has put a lot of effort into sourcing female and young artists from the previously disadvantaged communities to give them the benefit of this valuable platform as they are often overlooked and under-represented in this genre.
Education also plays an integral role in SculptX 2019, both for emerging sculptors who have the opportunity to hone their practice and to learn from so many different mediums and styles, and the public by making sculpture more accessible.
“SculptX 2019 is a testament to the increasing number of talented sculptors who are working with a diversity of materials, new mechanisms and technologies that are testing their production and creativity, the growing demand for sculpture from local and international collectors seeking powerful Pan-African narratives and a desire to encourage the continued growth of the genre within South Africa and the African continent at large”, say curators Megan Theunissen and Ruzy Rusike
What Is It?
The Melrose Gallery present their third annual SculptX Fair between August and September 2019. SculptX 2019 is the largest annual sculpture fair in South Africa. Bringing together over 90 established and emerging sculptors. More than 200 artworks will be displayed across the Melrose Arch Precinct. Venues include The Melrose Gallery, the 8 000 sqm Daytona showroom, Stanlib, the African Pride Hotel, Letsema Holdings, One On Whiteley, the Galleria and other public spaces.
Participating artists include the likes of Noria Mabasa, Willie Bester, Pitika Ntuli, Vusi Khumalo, Wilma Cruise, Gordon Froud, Adejoke Tugbiyele and Strijdom van der Merwe. Up-and-coming young, female artists have also been given centre stage at this year's SculptX Fair.
“This fair is quite an assault on the senses, but in an extremely stimulating and positive way. To see so many sculptures in one area representing so many different media and styles is very rare and has proven extremely popular, consistently attracting a large crowd of artists, art collectors, art enthusiasts and media alike”, Craig Mark The Melrose Gallery director says.
So, don't miss this exhilarating and eclectic sculpture fair. It truly is a one-of-a-kind art experience. Plus, entrance is free! We'll see you there.
When Is It?
Opening night is on Thursday, 29 August 2019 at 18:30 - 22:30.
SculptX 2019 will be exhibited from Friday, 30 August 2019 - Sunday, 29 September 2019.
The Melrose Gallery is open weekdays from 09:00 to 18:00, and weekends at 10:00 to 17:00.
Where Is It?
The Melrose Gallery, 10 High St, Melrose, Johannesburg.
How Much Is It?
Entrance is free.
For More Information
For more information, visit their website or follow their social media pages:
Facebook - facebook.com/themelrosegallery
Instagram - instagram.com/themelrose_gallerysa
Contact them on (083) 777-6644 or via email at [email protected]
What Is It?
Enjoy and view many stunning and intricate artworks on display at the Rotary Art Festival. There will be hundreds of artworks to be seen, multiple interactive workshops to attend and the final Rotary Portrait Award entries and results to view. With over 500 artworks from 70 artists, the Rotary Arts Festival is a highlight on Johannesburg’s cultural calendar. Whether you want to invest in art with a piece created by one of South Africa's talented and up-and-coming artists or you are simply doing it for charity, this event is a must. 30% of all its proceeds will be given to three pre-selected initiatives.
When Is It?
Thursday, 31 May 2018 - 10 June 2018 from 18:00 - 21:00.
Where Is It?
Rosebank Mall, 15A Cradock Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg.
How Much Is It?
Ticket prices TBA.
For More Information.
For more information call 011 788 5530 or click here or visit their website at www.rotaryartfestival.com.
What Is It?
The annual Turbine Art Fair at the Turbine Hall in Newtown isn't only an art fair, it's a lifestyle event. Guests will have the opportunity to view an incredible range of fabulous artworks from galleries and artists around the country and start collecting with pieces that are reasonably priced for first-time buyers. Other than delighting your visual senses, you can also enjoy great food, live music and get the chance to meet new and interesting people. All in all, this makes for a wonderful day out in the city.
When Is It?
Thursday, 12 July 2018 to Sunday, 15 July 2018. Times are as follows:
- Thursday, 12 July 2018– Opening night at 18:00.
- Friday, 13 July 2018 at 11:00.
- Saturday, 14 July 2018 at 10:00.
- Sunday, 15 July 2018 at 10:00.
Where Is It?
Turbine Hall, 65 Ntemi Piliso Street, Newtown, Johannesburg.
How Much Is It?
Tickets cost between R50 - R800 per person and are available from Webtickets.
For More Information
For more information about this event, visit www.turbineartfair.co.za.
You can also check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.