As you move through Johannesburg, its contradictory layers and histories become evident. We believe that if you want to get a fuller picture of the city, you need to get up close with the creative energies held within its concrete boundaries. The best way to do this is to visit the places where creation, and often magic, happens. For us it's found in the many artist studios dotted across Jozi.
Home to some of Joburg's most ground-breaking, sometimes controversial, and ever innovative art-making, these are nine studios you need to visit. While many are open by appointment only or on select open days, this year's OpenStudios.Joburg offers a unique opportunity to see all nine in one weekend. Plus, it's a chance to buy art directly from the artists.
Find out more about this immersive event taking place on Sat, May 27 and Sun, May 28 here. Different studios will be open on these two days, so be sure to book when you want to attend. On each day, there will also be a shuttle service available. The shuttles operate in two loops as a hop-on, hop-off service and should be available every 15-20 minutes. There is a shuttle available at every participating venue, and the first shuttle will leave at 10:30am. The last shuttle will leave its venue at 4pm and do one complete loop.
Being an ardent supporter of the city's creative economy, Johannesburg In Your Pocket is once again a media partner for this event, so, here's a rundown of the studios that'll be participating during OpenStudios.Joburg 2023.
Asisebenze Art Atelier Studios
August House
August House in Doornfontein used to be an industrial warehouse, but now it's home to the studios of 48 artists from across South Africa, the continent, and the world. With five storeys of private art studios, it's the city's largest artist studio space. Inside you'll find a warren of studios, small and large, and a dynamic community of new artists and more established names living and working together, sometimes as neighbours and friends, and often as established art collectives, too.
Some of the most in-demand contemporary artists currently working from August House include Lindokuhle Zwane, Fathema Bemath, and Terence Maluleke, all of whom have shown at South Africa's most prestigious galleries.
Open studio days at August House present an opportunity to dive right into the artistic process, and to buy art directly from the artists. As you wander around you'll invariably be invited in to pull up a pew inside an artist's studio, perhaps with a cup of wine, and engage with their inspirations. On open studio days there's also always entertainment adding to the atmosphere, be it a performance, live music or afternoon drinks on the rooftop with a view of the city.
