Gezz Robison, owner of the Art of Africa galleries, on contemporary San art
For thousands of years, the Khoisan-speaking San were the only inhabitants of southern Africa. As nomadic hunters and gatherers they moved with the great herds and the changing seasons. Without permanent homes, they left no trace of their presence other than their stories which they painted on rocks.
Southern Africa abounds with rock art sites from the Drakensberg and Eastern Cape to Namibia and Botswana. However, visitors to Cape Town can delight in impressive examples of these ancient artworks at the ‘Power of Rock Art’ exhibition at the South African Museum or behold it in its natural surroundings at the Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat in the Cederberg.
For the less studious or energetic, a closer look around will reveal many examples of contemporary San art. One of the largest examples can be seen at the CTICC: above the reception desk is a giant sculptural installation of three lino prints by the now deceased Stefaans Samcuia (probably one of the best recognised San artists).
Other familiar examples include the tails of British Airways jets, many Botswanian postage stamps and various Woolworths consumer products, including a shopping bag (by Freciano Ndala) and biscuit tins (by Samcuia).
Internationally, contemporary San art is widely acclaimed and is gaining the same respect as Aboriginal and North American Indian art. This was recently made evident when the Goethe Institute (the German cultural institute responsible for promoting culture between Germany and other countries) brought an exhibition of almost 200 pieces belonging to a German collector, Helen Rebecca Shellen, back to South Africa earlier this year. The exhibition toured the entire country and was a resounding success.
As a dedicated collector and avid supporter of indigenous arts and crafts, our galleries in both Cape Town
and Franschhoek offer a unique collection of lino and painted works mostly by the few San artists still living in the Northern Cape. Regular visits to the region entail the furnishing of artists’ materials, the facilitation of creative workshops and hours of listening to the incredible stories behind every art piece. Art of Africa plans to launch an indigenous arts and crafts emporium in the city offering an elevated and more sophisticated platform to showcase local talent in surroundings befitting its global status.