The Johannesburg Art Scene from the 60's to the 90's
This section of the website has been put up as a research tool and for interest's sake.
Without galleries of repute, most artists would find it difficult to be recognised by a wider public, by institutions or museums. And yet, galleries have always been criticised on many fronts, certainly in South Africa, trials and tribulations notwithstanding.
BRIEF REVIEW
The 60's and 70's in particular were an exciting period in the Johannesburg art scene, with a number of new galleries appearing, galleries expanding, opening nights being a social event and exhibitions receiving good press coverage.
click on image for details!
GALLERIES IN JOHANNESBURG
The main galleries, in alphabetical order, were the
Adler Fielding Galleries (originally Lawrence Adler Gallery)
Egon Guenther Gallery
Gallery 101
Gallery 21
Goodman Gallery
Lidchi Gallery
Whippman's Gallery
and the Everard Read Gallery (originally known as the Pieter Wenning Gallery), which then presented more traditional or conservative art styles.
All galleries exhibited works by both white and black artists, as well as international art, and saw visitors from all walks of life. Amongst the best known Johannesburg collectors at the time must be mentioned: John Schlesinger (Schlesinger Organisation), H.F. Oppenheimer and family members, Dr Albert Wessels (Toyota), Donald Gordon (Liberty), the Press brothers - Hubert and Sydney Press (Edgars), H Louis Shill (Sage), C.S. (Punch) Barlow, and many more. The gallery scene would have been that much poorer without their love for the arts of South Africa.
In addition, there were a few private galleries owned by black artists, but generally they did not last long. These included the Stanley Nkosi Gallery in Katlehong near Johannesburg (opened in 1982), the Art Mart Gallery near the Carlton Centre, Johannesburg, owned by Joe Maseko (1982-1983), and the Soweto Art Gallery in Victory House, Johannesburg, owned by Peter Sibeko (opened in 1987). Of the black owned galleries, only the first two showed works by both white and black artists from South Africa.
three branches in Johannesburg
Johannesburg and London UK
If you require further particulars for research purposes, or any further images, please contact us at the address at the bottom of this page and we shall do our best to give you the required data.
THE FACES BEHIND THE GALLERIES
We trust the following pictures of Johannesburg's main dealers during the 60's to the 80's will be of interest (in alphabetical order). Click on images for further details!
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| Lawrence Adler and Major Aubrey Fielding in 1961 | Linda Goodman in 1973 | |
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| Egon Guenther (and artist Sydney Kumalo) in 1966 | Mme Fernande ML Haenggi in 1975 |
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Fernand F. Haenggi in 1973 |
Harold Jeppe in 1967 |
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Everard Read, doyen of the Johannesburg art dealers, in 1988 |
Taffy Whippman in 1967 |
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FURTHER REFERENCES
For further reading, please consult the Michaelis Art Reference Library, Central Library, Johannesburg, or if in Europe, you may use the extensive archives and art reference library held by The Haenggi Foundation Inc. in Basel, Switzerland, by prior appointment.
Note:
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The Hon. Secretary, The Haenggi Foundation Inc. Postfach 344 CH-4003 BASEL / Switzerland Tel.: +41 61 321 01 90 info at pelmama.org |
