Specialist art journeys across the continent.
We curate immersive artistic experiences for a diverse global audience, ranging from holiday makers seeking inspiration to policy makers and post-graduate researchers.
Art is the lens through which we view Africa's creative and intellectual evolution.
Our journeys provide deep access to the visual landscapes of the continent, connecting you with the creators, galleries, and institutions that define contemporary African art. Whether for leisure or advanced study, we create the context for true discovery.
- Curated Galleries
- Studio Visits
- Post-Graduate Study
- Policy Engagement
- Contemporary Art
- Visual Research
Johannesburg, Cape Town & The Cape Winelands
11 Days – 10 Nights – Private Collections – Studio Immersions – Resistance Art
Cinga Sampson
Johannesburg: The Urban Crucible
Day 1–3. Public Art & Political History
Our journey begins in downtown Johannesburg, starting atop the Carlton Centre to map out the city's complex history. We visit the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG), where curator Khwezi Gule hosts a journey through some of the most interesting aspects of the collection. South African masters feature alongside international artists such as Dali and Picasso, exploring their impact on the local scene. We also spend time exploring the city's significant public art pieces that tell the city's story. We meet a specialist in Soweto and immerse in the Soweto art scene.
Public Art in Johannesburg
The immersion continues at the Wits Art Museum (WAM) in Braamfontein, home to an extraordinary collection of African art. We move from the museum floor to the studio floor at the Bag Factory in Fordsburg, meeting fine artists in their creative environments. We also delve into the legal and political foundations of the nation at Constitution Hill, exploring their Art and Justice tour which features art assembled by Justice Albie Sachs.
Culinary and Musical Safaris
Nights in Johannesburg are spent in celebration. We enjoy a magical Pan African Plate with chef and art figure Sanza Sandile. Later, we are welcomed into the home of composer Mac McKenzie for an African Symphony Safari—a performance by a chamber orchestra featuring Mac's original works, accompanied by local wines.
Cape Town: Art as Resistance
Day 4–6. Private Collections & The Zeitz MOCAA
Arriving in Cape Town, we explore art and resistance with senior artist Manfred Zylla. Manfred takes us through his personal history and the broader role of art in the struggle against oppression. This theme carries into an artist-guided tour of street art in the hubs of Salt River and Woodstock, where murals serve as a means of community development and resistance against gentrification.
We are granted private access to the collection at Ellerman House for a tour with art historian Talita Swarts. This session traces threads between the private collection and public institutions like the South African National Gallery. The journey also includes a deep dive into the Zeitz MOCAA at the V&A Waterfront, the continent's premier museum of contemporary art, facilitated by resident curators or artist hosts.
Theatre in the Backyard
Theatre in the Backyard
Evening culture takes a visceral turn with the Theatre in the Backyard experience. Playwright Mhlanguli George presents an original piece in a township backyard, followed by a braai dinner and plenty of discussion about theatre, art, and life in general.
The Winelands: Narrative & Heritage
Day 7–11. Sculpture Gardens & Heritage Walks
We transition to the Stellenbosch mountains to walk the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, a magnificent 7-hectare landscape featuring the internationally acclaimed sculptor's works. In the winelands, we visit the Ghetto Art Gallery, an initiative by artists from the Kayamandi township attempting to move the centre by exhibiting works on the edge of the community.
Our final days bring together the narrative threads of the journey. We enjoy an Eco Safari at Avondale wine estate to understand biodynamic farming and conclude the political threads at the Mandela statue outside Drakenstein Prison. We also conduct a heritage walk in Pniel, exploring the history of slavery and land ownership. The programme concludes at the Norval Foundation, featuring nine exhibition spaces dedicated to 20th and 21st-century South African art.
Ethical Accommodations
We select accommodation providers that make a positive contribution to both people and planet. For this itinerary, we suggest properties such as the Peech Hotel in Johannesburg, the Radisson Red in Cape Town, and the Oude Werf in Stellenbosch. For ultra-luxury experiences, we suggest the Silo in Cape Town or La Residence in Franschhoek.
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