05 September 2018. Mall of Africa, in Partnership with Julie Miller Investment Art Institute will be hosting the third edition of the Africa’s Art Collective, Seasons Spring Edition from the 20th of September to 14th October 2018.
After the success of the Autumn Collective and recent Winter Collective, the Mall has become the new home of artistic exhibitions. The Art Collective has hosted over 130 different artists and 500 different artworks. It is the largest series of public art exhibitions in South Africa and will be displaying over 500 pieces at the Mall.
“At Mall of Africa, we always strive to offer unique experiences and multi-cultural events for our patrons. With the Art Collective being the only one of its kind on the continent, we saw an opportunity to provide a platform to showcase African art, as the Mall is perfectly situated to create a new super-hub for the African creative industry” said Johann Fourie, General Manager at Mall of Africa.
Globally, there is a growing interest in African art, however there are limited platforms for it to be promoted, particularly in the Gauteng region. One of the main goals of the Art Collective Seasons events, is to provide an opportunity to showcase a world class art collection in a retail space to engage the public and foster support for the arts, while also giving young upcoming artists the opportunity to exhibit alongside established artists.
“Our initiative, as patrons of the arts, is to help spread public appreciation and form a community within the Mall of Africa, whilst establishing an African public art hub. We believe in forming a platform where the public can engage with the arts as well as participate in workshops and talks, which will tackle enlightening issues”, said Julie Miller, founder of the Julie Miller Investment Art Institute.
As part of the Spring Collection we will also be hosting the rebirth of “Conte Magazine” a 4-year old publication which has been dedicated to showcasing African artists. The publication is being revamped, with a new name, which will be revealed at the exhibition and a new look, which now dedicates each issue to an African country. The debut issue of this bi-monthly publication will start by narrating the stories of Accra through its art, history and rich culture, inspired by the Chale Wote Street Art Festival.
“Africa itself is art and for years it has served as a source of inspiration and creativity for others. We believe it is time to take control of the narrative of what defines African authenticity and richness through storytelling and art.” says Amanda Sibiya, founder of Conte Magazine.
Mall of Africa invites you to come and experience the best art that Africa has to offer, with the Seasons Spring Edition beginning on Thursday, 20 September running until Sunday, 14 October. The Julie Miller Investment Art Institute will also be hosting workshops to educate artists on the intricate details of the South African Art Market, gallery standards and principles and, how to present work as an upcoming artist. The Art Collective will exhibit on the entire upper level of the mall.
About The Julie Miller Investment Art Institute
The Julie Miller investment art institute is an art investment and management company focussed on harnessing and developing the global investment potential of the African art industry for the benefit of all stakeholders though1) developing talented African artists, 2) providing conduits for these artists to carve a place for themselves in the global art market, and 3) providing art investment consulting and services to corporate and individual art collectors.
About Mall of Africa
Mall of Africa is South Africa’s largest shopping Mall ever built in a single phase, with over 130 000m2 of retail space, and is home to over 300 shops, many of which are flagship stores. In addition to a vast array of both local and international brands, the Mall also boasts uniquely identified court areas made for easy shopping navigation, as well as exceptional access, location and visibility. Located in Waterfall City, the Mall of Africa has an elegant design, which enhances its surrounding environment The Mall’s architectural appearance is inspired by Africa’s geological features and iconic landscapes. The Mall of Africa is well situated to serve as a dominant super-regional Mall. Shoppers can look forward to a number of fabulous new stores on South African soil and enjoy incredible restaurants and numerous events throughout the year.