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Gallery for Venda, Tsonga and Pedi art
Polokwane Art Museum
Did you know?
Venda woodwork can be recognised by its unique and distinctive identifying 'fingerprints'.
The Polokwane Art Museum is home to a notable collection of South African art, with a special focus on work from Limpopo Province.
This Limpopo art gallery's collection includes over a thousand artworks ranging from ceramics and paintings to sculptures, photographic prints and installations by well-known South African artists. The gallery's permanent collection is also lauded for its representative body of work by artists from the province.
Much of the work by Limpopo artists reflects the area's local mythology. Highlights of the collection include works by Jackson Hlungwani, one of Limpopo's most notable artists, who is probably best known for his carvings depicting fish and themes around them.
Samson Mudzunga is another eminent Limpopo artist, who is fêted for the huge drums he creates. Their forms and imagery displays some of the rich symbolism that characterises the mythology and traditional customs of the Venda people.
Johannes Segogela is known for his figures and animals and their combination of religious and political themes, while Avhashoni Mainganye's work explores ancient themes in new ways, celebrating the sacred places and customs of the Venda people.
This art gallery in Polokwane also has work by Lucas Thobejane, whose work has been described as transcending the boundaries between the human and animal kingdoms, as well as between modern and primitive times. Also look out for art created by William Kentridge, Braam Kruger and Jack Botes.
The museum's Industrial Sculpture Park is also worth exploring. It consists of a permanent outdoor display of sculptures in the city's downtown civic square and is the only one of its kind in South Africa.
The Polokwane Art Museum hosts regular exhibitions of work from its permanent collection, as well as hosting temporary, visiting exhibitions from around the country. The museum is administered and funded by the Polokwane Municipality and is housed in the Danie Hough Cultural Centre located in the Library Gardens complex.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Polokwane Art Museum
Tel:+27(0)15 290 2177
Bakone Malapa Museum
Tel: +27 (0) 15 295 2432
How to get here
The Polokwane Art Museum is located in the Library Gardens, corner of Hans Van Rensburg and Grobbler Streets, Polokwane.
Around the area
Visit the Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum. It depicts elements of the traditional and modern lifestyle of the Bakone people. You can also meet some local villagers, many of whom will be happy to share their culture with you.
Tours to do
Guided tours of the gallery are possible by prior arrangement.
Where to stay
There are many guesthouses, hotels, B&B's, lodges and self-catering spots in Polokwane.