ARTdacity

I sit down with Jonathan Garnham of blank projects, a trailblazing Cape Town gallery known for its focus on abstraction. We talk about his journey from artist to gallerist, the challenges of showing at Art Basel, and what it takes to put African art on the global stage.

We reflect on the impact of the late Koyo Kouoh, a towering figure in African contemporary art. We reflect on her legacy and how her passing reshaped the season’s direction. The episode also spotlights the 3 South African galleries who have achieved international success at Art Basel and who are showing again this year. We also speak one of the founders of Africa Basel, a new platform amplifying A...

Art fairs serve as a dynamic platform for showcasing emerging and established artists while fostering connections between collectors, galleries, and the public. The Cape Town Art Fair, the largest of its kind in Africa, is a vibrant hub where local and international artists converge. From the Tomorrow’s Today section championing young talent to internationally acclaimed booths, the fair provides v...

We’re at the opening of the Stellenbosch Triennale, a visionary exhibition curated by Khanyisile Mbongwa. With the theme Ba'zinzile: A Rehearsal for Breathing, the Triennale calls us to pause, reflect, and acknowledge history while engaging with powerful site-specific installations. From Manyaku’s kraal to Simphiwe’s thought-provoking structures, artists were challenged to create in the moment, br...

I’m joined by Zain Nazier, who leads the Norval Foundation’s education program, and Evaan Jason Ferreira, a Zeitz MOCAA UWC Fellowship alumni, both of whom are shaping the future of art accessibility. Zain shares how art became his lifeline, helping him navigate dyslexia and trauma, and how he now fosters creativity in young minds. Evaan reflects on the impact of the Zeitz MOCAA fellowship, openin...

In this episode, we sat down with Liese van der Watt, curator of We the People, an exhibition at the Norval Foundation that reflects on 30 years of South African democracy. Through four themes—To Belong, To Protest, To Care, and To Be Heard—this powerful exhibition challenges us to engage critically with our past and future. From Bronwyn Katz’s installations to Igshaan Adams’ evocative works, Lies...

I sit down with Johannesburg-based artist Lerato Nkosi, the inaugural winner of the ANNA Award. Lerato’s unique practice—using ink, stamps, and water—challenges ideas of identity, memory, and self-discovery, particularly from a female perspective. We discuss how her upbringing shaped her artistic voice, the role of social media in expanding visibility, and the challenges of navigating the art worl...

Welcome to Artdacity, where we celebrate the bold and boundary-pushing voices of contemporary African art. In this episode, I catch up with the phenomenal Breeze Yoko—muralist, street artist, and global ambassador of African creativity. From his roots in hip-hop and graffiti to his internationally recognized murals, Breeze shares how art can be both a form of resistance and a universal language. W...

In this episode, we explore the impact of the Venice Biennale and its growing connection to African artists and curators. I speak with Anelisa Mangcu about her great-grandfather, George Pemba, and how his legacy shaped her journey in the art world. We also catch up with Kimberly Drew, Siwa Mgoboza, and other key voices shaping the African art landscape, discussing accessibility, representation, an...

I sit down with Jana Terblanche, curator at Southern Guild, just before she heads to Los Angeles to open a group exhibition. We dive into her journey from growing up in a small diamond mining town in Namibia to shaping the South African art scene and taking it to the global stage. Jana shares how curiosity led her into the world of art, her thoughts on fashion’s impact on accessibility, and what i...

I’m thrilled to be speaking with the incredibly talented Thania Petersen, a contemporary African artist whose work has captivated me for years. Thania’s exploration of identity—particularly through the lens of her upbringing in Apartheid South Africa, her royal Indonesian heritage, and her unique experiences—has made a profound impact on me. I’ll never forget standing in front of her pieces at Art...

Welcome to ARTdacity—a podcast dedicated to contemporary African art. I’m Jo-Ann Strauss, a media professional from Cape Town, and this is my love letter to art and its power to shape our lives. In a screen-obsessed world, we rarely pause to engage deeply with art. As a mother of four, I see how vital the arts are in shaping well-rounded individuals. I believe art should be more accessible and tha...