RMB Latitudes: an innovative new indoor-outdoor art experience

MEDIA RELEASE

8 MARCH 2023

 

A new art fair experience with RMB Latitudes

RMB and Latitudes Online join forces to bring RMB Latitudes – an innovative new indoor-outdoor art experience – to Johannesburg during the beautiful early-autumn month of May.

From 26 - 28 May 2023, the Latitudes team will bring together artists and exhibitors from across the continent to transform Shepstone Gardens, a magnificent three-acre property, into a curated celebration of art from Africa.

The central curatorial theme for the 2023 edition is co-emergence. “In the context of African art, co-emergence refers to the complexities embedded in the interaction of various cultural and aesthetic influences on the creation and interpretation of African art,” says Latitudes Special Projects Curator, Nkhensani Mkhari. In "Looking both ways" practitioners working both on the continent and beyond explore how these diverse aesthetics and cultural influences echo each other in the diaspora and African contemporary art.”

Says Linda Kachingwe-Sisya, Head of Marketing for RMB and FNB in broader Africa: “RMB has partnered with Latitudes because we share a belief in Africa’s vibrant and resourceful economy. The universal language of art enables powerfully creative communication across Africa, with the ability to express the spirit of the time and bring societies together. We’re excited to be supporting the physical RMB Latitudes Art Fair experience. Further, with Latitudes, we’ll be bringing exclusive art events to our clients in our presence countries on the continent, throughout the year.”

In May, visitors will be able to enjoy a curated contemporary art experience, while strolling through an iconic Johannesburg garden and attending art talks and walkabouts. What’s more, a partnership with Franschhoek Wine Valley, will see vignerons from the winelands fly to RMB Latitudes to share their top wines and bubblies with visitors.

“We are looking forward to welcoming visitors and the arts industry to a uniquely African art experience that is inclusive, fair, highly curated and embraces our natural environment,” says Lucy MacGarry, Latitudes Co-founder. “Having always admired RMB’s committed support of the arts and refreshing approach to their many arts initiatives, we are incredibly proud to come together to realise our shared vision.”

“New platforms such as RMB Latitudes are vitally important,” says Azu Nwagbogu, Founder and Director of African Artists' Foundation (AAF), and curatorial advisor on RMB Latitudes 2023 International Galleries Programme. “They offer innovative models for cultural and artistic engagement that have evolved from the decay of our previous ways of living, and are developing new models for today.”

RMB Latitudes is a destination event. As there is limited parking, guests are encouraged to travel via Uber or to make use of the Fair’s Park and Ride at the Old Edwardian Society, Houghton, where the Fair’s exclusive vehicle partner, Lexus, will have a shuttle service on offer.

Celebrate in our shared creative spirit, ignite new relationships, and connect with artists and galleries in an inspiring setting.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: latitudesartfair.com

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For media information and interviews, please contact:

Bronwyn Coppola on +27 83 450 9111 or bmgcoppola@gmail.com

2023 Exhibitors

LATITUDES CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

Afriart Gallery (Uganda)

Everard Read Gallery

First Floor Gallery Harare (Zimbabwe)

Goodman Gallery

Kalashnikovv Gallery

MOVART (Angola)

No Man’s Gallery (Netherlands)

SMAC

Suburbia (Spain)

MEZZANINE

ARTCO Galerie (Germany)

Christopher Moller Gallery

David Krut Projects

the gallery

EdenLabs

TMRW Gallery

ROOFTOP TERRACE

Eleven Editions

FEDE Arthouse

Jillian Ross Print

CENTRE COURT

ART AFRICA

Doyle Wham (UK)

Eclectica Contemporary

Gallery 2

Guns & Rain

KZNSA

Martin Projects

Origin Art

Proto - the store at A4 Arts Foundation

The Melrose Gallery

Thomarts Gallery

Worldart Gallery

GLASS MARQUEE & GARDENS

Artist Proof Studio

Delaney Studio

Imba Ya Sarai Gallery

Lizamore & Associates

Spier Arts Trust

The Artists' Press

The Art Room

The White River Gallery

DESIGN

Guillotine

Lalela

L’MAD Collection x Latitudes

Kevin Collins

SAD

Something Good Studio

Waldman Studios

RMB Latitudes 2023 Special Projects

The International Galleries Programme supported by RMB’s broader Africa focus, provides a sustainable means for galleries and artists on the continent and in the diaspora to show in South Africa. The 2023 International Galleries show is led by curator Nkhensani Mkhari, in close dialogue with the Project Advisory Committee members; Azu Nwagbogu, Valerie Kabov and Lucy MacGarry.

INDEX (Independent Artists Exhibition) is a captivating survey exhibition that brings together an array of independent artistic practices from South Africa, the African region, and the diaspora. Through a rich dialogue between diverse artists, the exhibition seeks to explore the complexities of contemporary African identity and its global connections. Featured artists include, ​​Lebogang Mogul Mabusela, Gaelen Pinnock, Jody Brand, Thokozani Mthiyane, Bulumko Mbete, Phillip Newman, Benjamin Selvatore, and Terrence Maluleke to name a few.

Essay brings together the work of three artists, Sam Nhlengethwa, Katlego Tlabela and Cinthia Sifa Mulanga, to explore a nuanced dialogue in concept, and approach to colour and line.

The RMB Young Artists’ Playground is a dedicated children's area, tailored for adventure, the joy of discovery and artistic collaboration. Its four activity stations, The Zine & Printmaking Corner, The Tech Corner, The Up-cycling Corner and The Playdough Party offer supervised art-related activities for children that are accessible throughout the day and over the fair weekend. The Young Artists' Playground will encourage children to explore and work with different materials, under the guidance of inspiring local artists.

OpenStudios.Joburg. RMB Latitudes is proud to have partnered with OpenStudios.Joburg, an exciting project that provides Joburgers with open access to art buildings, spaces and projects across the historical CBD. On Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May, visitors will be invited to meet artists in their studios, interact with the works, and enjoy a programme of exhibitions, walkabouts, performance and design. OpenStudios.Joburg and RMB Latitudes will be linked via a shuttle service that will allow visitors to safely explore the city.

Strauss Talks. RMB Latitudes is proud to partner with Strauss Education to present a series of talks at RMB Latitudes. Strauss Education has partnered both internationally with the African Art in Venice Forum and locally to present content-rich and insightful discussions. Seats are pre-booked via the Fair’s online booking system.

About Latitudes

Latitudes launched as a physical art fair in 2019, and has since evolved into an integral player in the African art industry. The all-women team runs an online marketplace for art from Africa, a physical art fair, a series of mentorship programmes and an art award, all with the common goal of creating voices for independent artists and connecting artists with collectors. Latitudes challenges how art can be seen, experienced, and purchased, making the process more inclusive, less intimidating, and ultimately enjoyable for collectors. For more information please visit: latitudes.online