Autumn Edition of Art South Africa Launched
by by Sean O'Toole
It might still have its sceptics, but Art South Africa, the quarterly print magazine on contemporary visual art, is now three issues old.
Published by Bell-Roberts, and edited by former ArtThrob editor Sophie Perryer, the slightly fatter (eight-pages bigger) third issue went on sale from the beginning of March. The publication features Kendell Geers' controversial work, The Terrorist's Apprentice on the cover, Geers being the subject of an in-depth review/interview by top international curator and author, Jerome Sans. It is a timely feature. Geers is due to hold a highly anticipated solo show at the Goodman Gallery, in Johannesburg, soon. It will be his first solo outing in South Africa in 10 years.
Other features in this issue include James Sey's review of the history of video art and experimental film in South Africa, as well as an investigation into the modus operandi of artists' collective The Trinity Session, by Penny Siopis. Just the mention of these two author's names is amply suggestive of the calibre (and tone) of the writing. (I have added the word tone in parentheses because I have often heard art enthusiasts - as opposed to practitioners - complain that Art South Africa is a rather highbrow publication. Whether such comments actually discredit the value of this sumptuous publication is doubtful in my own view.)
Amongst the numerous reviews of local and international work, mention is made of Mark Hipper, Diane Victor, Ruth Sacks, Daphne Prevoo, Ariel Cohen, Gabisile Ngcobo and Zamani Makhanya. Jane Taylor also reviews the new monograph on painter Robert Hodgins.
Still not sure where to purchase a copy? Art South Africa is available at Exclusive Books stores countrywide, as well as selected galleries and specialist bookstores, at a cost of R50 per issue (excluding VAT). All subscription and distribution enquiries should be directed to Suzette Bell-Roberts on Tel: 021 422 1100 or Email: suzette@bell-roberts.com
