Township art gallery for Mount Nelson Hotel

The gallery is a partnership between the Mount Nelson Hotel and the Maboneng Township Experience which aims to showcase township art in the townships. So far Maboneng has opened galleries in Gauteng, Kwazulu Natal and the Western Cape.

At the opening, the Nkanyezi Gallery showcased the work of Lindile Magunya, Boyce Magandela, Gerald Tabata, Luthando Lupuwana and Patrick Holo.

Gerald Thabatha, originally from Gugulethu but now living in Khayelitsha, says he has been an artist for over 10 years. “My pieces are influenced by people, my love for township people and their everyday lives, he said at the opening.

“It is always great to have a public platform and this opportunity is big as it will expose my talent on a broader scale” he said.

Commenting on the state of art in South Africa, Thabatha said “Starting anything is hard. Being in arts is also hard, but it is the struggles that make one strong and the passion keeps the artist going”.

Patrick Holo, whose art has been shown in several exhibitions, said his pieces were influenced by his background and the township life experience.

“I grew up in a very political environment as my mother was a ANC veteran,” he said.

“Sharing your creative work with the people will always feel good for me as an artist.”

The “Nellie” came up with the idea of the Nkanyezi Gallery to support the World Design Capital themes, which are “Beautiful spaces, beautiful things” and “Bridging the Gaps”, Gabriel Palmer, public relations manager, said.

The Maboneng Township Experience has been chosen as a World Design Capital project.

”The idea of bringing beautiful artwork from the townships to beautiful spaces helps bridge the gap between township artists and other artists, as the artwork will be viewed and possibly bought by all sorts of people” said Palmer.

“The Maboneng township experience seeks to ensure active positive use of the township space”, said Siphiwe Ngwenya, Nkanyezi Gallery Head Curator and the Maboneng Township Experience Director.

The Nkanyezi Gallery is open to the public and all works are for sale.