The Co-Op art gallery opening up in Braamfontein is just another development in the area’s ever growing success. The place is is a spin-off Joburg venture from fellow Cape Town Gallery whatiftheworld, alongside local designers Dokter and Misses, and design and branding agency Open. The Gallery space offers a great retail section with X Store, pleasant Sunday evenings spent at Sunday Kino, a small art house cinema exhibition space, and the chance to buy great designer fashion in the adjacent project Cabinet. The place needs more exploring from our side, all of which will be updated right here, as this is a venture worth supporting.
68 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Wednesday to Friday 10:00 – 17:00
Saturday 10:00 – 14:00
Or by appointment
+27 11 023 0336
I strongly think a discussion should be started on how one keeps a gallery alive and sustained in Johannesburg. Many come and go, many have remained. It really seems touch and go, with so many looking and acting similar. Gallery MOMO however, seems to be one that’s sticking around. The building is a classic example of what business has become for this 7th ave strip. The avenue starts in Rosebank, runs through Parktown North and ends in Parkhurst. Once a suburban lane, it is now a massive feeder route to these districts. And you can see how almost every property on the avenue was a home, that’s now been revamped as a small business. In this reformation, its been great to see the kinds of businesses that have found their niche on this strip. Instead of boring real estate agents, thankfully you’ll find showrooms for unique designer furniture, high end fashion items and and all kinds of cool designer products for the household. So Gallery MOMO’s success might just be a result of them very cleverly nestling themselves in the middle of all the action.
Not forgetting that it’s an a seminal gallery on the art landscape of Joburg. Mail info@gallerymomo.com for info in upcoming shows.
Arts on Main is one of the slowly emerging smaller success stories of the new and improved Johannesburg City. Its an old warehouse from the 1900’s thats been renovated to become artists studios, a restaurant, deli’s and even an open air cinema in the summer time. It certainly is a space to watch, and know how to find. The moment world renown artist William Kentridge signed his lease there, the place took off.
In the heart of 44 Stanley Ave in Milpark, this great store quietly sits in the corner. Its as if the store is that pretty girl in school you might not have noticed at first, but you all of a sudden realise how beautiful she is, and then go on to absolutely love her as a person. They make a lot of cool designer stuff, from plastic jewelry to cardboard handbags, but all done on a high end. Worth your time, and your love! They’ve since become involved in Braamfontein gallery CO – OP.
Great modern gallery that’s become an important part of the greater Newtown area. The Gallery has a simple formula of only representing a few talented local artists. But their choices are fresh and worth a mention. Most notably rock and music photographer Liam Lynch, and Avant Car Guard member Zander Blom. Best thing to do is keep an eye out on the website. The previous exhibitions have certainly broken traditional molds as to how galleries have gone about conducting themselves. Instead of the pretentious banter picking away at cheese and wine, bands have played on the rooftop of the gallery and artists have produced podcasts one can listen to while exploring the works.
The idea is simple. In order to truly love something, you first have to understand it. Johannesburg is no different in this regard.
Connect with the real city through those who live and play here. The result? A catalogue of Johannesburg like no other.
