As the effects of the recession begin to take hold in various sectors, this month's news proves the art market is not immune: the Warren Siebrits gallery (formerly Warren Siebrits Modern and Contemporary Art), a fixture on the Johannesburg art scene for seven years, has closed with immediate effect. Citing the difficult economic times and a general downturn in art purchasing, Siebrits spoke to Michael Smith this week via email, giving the following statement: 'Due to adverse trading conditions and mounting overheads I have decided to discontinue the gallery with immediate effect. Poor cash flow combined with dwindling sales on the contemporary front, particularly in the field of photography, have catalysed my decision to close the gallery. I will continue to trade as a private dealer, selling specialised artworks both International and South African. I will also continue to trade in rare and out-of-print art books and ephemera, political posters and vinyl records.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the artists and our many clients and friends who have supported the gallery during it's seven years in business.'

This represents a significant blow for the Johannesburg contemporary art scene, of which Siebrits's gallery was a vital part. Siebrits' strong understanding of 20th Century SA culture lent his exhibitions an authority that was frequently lacking elsewhere. Besides the high tone of his shows and his unique ability to find rarities of SA art and culture, Siebrits has been a prolific publisher, producing as many as 33 publications and exhibition catalogues during the gallery's existence.

Among the highlights of the gallery's programme were the introduction of Stefanus Rademeyer onto the scene, 2007's exhibition of apartheid-era political posters, and 2009's re-release on cd of recordings by seminal SA post-punk band Koos.