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From leading contemporary art to hand-crafted textiles and iconic Swiss design, 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub is one of those spaces to put on any art and design itinerary in Joburg.
Located along a major Joburg thoroughfare, 223 Creative Hub was an office park in its past life, but in the hands of gallerist Candice Berman and her team, clever renovations transformed it into a light-filled, showstopper base for Berman Contemporary in late 2023. Candice Berman Gallery is also in the building, along with a framing studio, a small residency space, and some seriously stand-out local design. There are artist blankets from Something Good Studio and striking knitwear by Romaria. It's also the largest showroom for modular Swiss furniture brand USM in Africa.
There's nothing quite like 223 Creative Hub on the Joburg art map. At its helm is Berman, who founded her commercial gallery 10 years ago and has been forging a unique path in the art world since. She describes the space as “an entity that revolves around collaborations” and its location along Jan Smuts Avenue draws meaning from the road’s namesake. The former South African Prime Minister, Jan Christian Smuts, coined the word “holism”, referencing Aristotle's philosophy that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Art, design, music, and food are all on the menu at 223 Creative Hub as a dual gallery and events space. And, with two floors of artworks and objects to explore, you will want to take your time here.
Candice Berman Gallery
After its flagship in Bryanston, Candice Berman Gallery’s second showroom spreads out over much of the ground floor of 223 Creative Hub. Order a coffee from the resident barista, made exactly to your liking, while you wind your way through this bright and welcoming space. Three interconnected rooms are the stage for a revolving showcase of the unique, intuitive, and often self-taught African artists the gallery associates with, many of whom work within the Expressionist movement.
From painting and photography to printmaking and sculpture, the works you'll see here are raw, unusual, and narrative-driven, telling stories that are culturally and personally profound.
Berman Contemporary
Follow the red-railed stairs to Berman Contemporary – Berman's second gallery, launched in 2016 – which occupies almost the entire top floor of 223 Creative Hub. This contemporary gallery champions voices who are under-represented locally, with 10 women artists currently on its books. These include Chrisél Attewell who works in glass and stone, engineer and ceramicist Natalie de Morney, dynamic sculptor Cow Mash, and visual activist Athenkosi Kwinana.
A limited number of artists are signed to the gallery's stable for at least three to five years; a model designed to grow and deepen practices through ongoing support and mentorship. Every six weeks new solo and group exhibitions are launched at Berman Contemporary, which often incorporate installations or interactive elements. The popular public openings are a great opportunity to meet the artists and gain insights into the works on show.
Now showing: In a profoundly personal solo at Berman Contemporary, Ndijongile (I have looked), Athenkosi Kwinana gives voice to people with albinism through her art. Until Sun, Oct 20, 2024.
The Creatory
Also upstairs, The Creatory is an in-house residency, arts lab, and project space that hosts artists for a few weeks at a time, with the invitation to experiment and produce new works. This space is a window into an artist’s process and an invitation to the public to engage. Being in flux as it is, it contrasts interestingly with the very polished exhibition space and completed works that surround it.
USM
When it comes to modular furniture, Swiss-brand USM is one of the forerunners. The family-run business founded in 1885 is now world-renowned for its flexible and innovative designs. And, thanks to local sales partner Magicode, it's available locally at 223 Creative Hub – the largest showroom for the brand in Africa. You'll love USM if minimalist, timeless design appeals to you. The brand's hallmark clean lines and modular components allow for endless configurations, making the furniture look purpose-built for your space. Look out for USM as you enter the building to your right.
Something Good Studio
Prefer your art to be functional? Something Good Studio is a collaborative textile design studio based in Johannesburg, working with local artists and designers on unique, limited-edition products. The brainchild of Zydia Botes, the studio was born in 2018 out of a belief that objects of beauty can encourage well-being, happiness, and purpose. Each textile piece is proudly made here in South Africa, using locally-sourced natural fibres. You can't miss Something Good Studio's graphic, luxurious creations on the bottom floor of 223 Creative Hub, immediately to your right.
Romaria
A year after founding Something Good Studio, Zydia Botes and co-founder Carlo Pinto launched their clothing label Romaria in 2019. The brand works with a diverse array of artists and designers to come up with gorgeous yet easy-to-wear knitwear pieces. You'll never have to worry about one line of products clashing with the next; the idea is that all of Romaria's collections form part of a greater whole, intended to be complimentary and multi-seasonal. With a focus on high quality, lasting knitwear, the brand's garments are made slowly, meticulously, and sustainably in South Africa. Romaria's knitted treasures also occupy space in the storefront of 223 Creative Hub, to your right as you walk in the door.
Read our #MyJoburg interview with textile designer Zydia Botes here.
Framing@223
Immediately to your left as you enter 223 Creative Hub, you'll find the in-house framing studio aptly named Framing@223. As a member of the Fine Art Trade Guild, their work upholds an excellent standard. A go-to spot for custom or boutique framing in Joburg.
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