Art of Africa

An example of ancient San rock art.

© Joel Roerig

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Art of Africa promotes the art of the San people. The San are the original hunter-gatherer inhabitants of Southern Africa. Art of Africa is attempting to promote and support the San's efforts to preserve their culture and make sense of their contemporary reality through art.

Traditionally, San artists found their materials in nature. Their canvases were rock and stone surfaces in caves, under overhangs and on the open veld. Their paints were finely ground ochre, charcoal and clay, mixed with natural binding agents.

As the pressures of modernity have increasingly eroded San culture, they have also resulted in fewer and fewer San artists. By promoting their art, this art gallery in Cape Town wants to create better understanding of the problems facing the remaining San people, and how these can be overcome.

According to Art of Africa it was the 'passion for genuine African art' that brought the gallery in contact with contemporary San artists. Their art portrays a unique relationship with the natural environment and their past. It is energetic and moving, using powerful shapes and bold colours. With the support of various museums, organisations, galleries and authors, Art of Africa began to specialise in the promotion and preservation of San art.

Today, the gallery represents contemporary San artists such as Flai Shipipa, Joao Dikuanga, Juliieta Carimbwe and Manual Masseka.