Cape Town Becoming Top Art Lovers Destination

Cape Town boasts many iconic experiences, but it is fast becoming the world's newest art hot spot. Now there are new experiences for art aficionados - beyond the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London or the Louvre in Paris - as Cape Town finds its feet among the art capitals of the world, with artwork transcending the traditional craftwork mostly associated with Africa.

“As with so many other forms of cultural expression, the art from Africa depicts the human experience of this region,” explains Avukile Mabombo, a Cape Town local who is the group marketing manager for Protea Hotels by Marriott and African Pride Hotels. “We are seeing the responses of people to our colonial history; the experience of racism and other forms of bigotry, both institutional and unofficial; and the clash of modern progress and traditional practices and cultures. These are the elements that largely characterise the works of art to be seen in local art exhibitions, particularly in the two new additions to Cape Town’s art scene: the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCAA) and the Norval Foundation Gallery.

Zeitz Mocaa opened its doors to the public in September last year, while the Norval Foundation began welcoming visitors from the end of April this year. Both are galleries of international standard and showcase the work of artists recognised internationally as well as those with the potential to make their mark significantly on the world stage.

Commentary on society and the pressures it puts on people abound in the works showcased by both galleries. Many of the installations will leave the visitor with troubled thoughts – this is art geared to make one think and to challenge one’s own perceptions.