Whatiftheworld Gallery, one of the stalwarts of the Cape gallery scene, is moving house, according to gallerist, Justin Rhodes. The gallery, which currently occupies the first floor of 208 Albert Road will not be moving far however. From August, they will be occupying the old Woodstock synagogues, on the corner of Albert and Argyl.

On the reason for the move Rhodes explains that their current space was rented, and that they had been looking for some time for a premises to buy. 

The synagogue complex will also...

Whatiftheworld Gallery, one of the stalwarts of the Cape gallery scene, is moving house, according to gallerist, Justin Rhodes. The gallery, which currently occupies the first floor of 208 Albert Road will not be moving far however. From August, they will be occupying the old Woodstock synagogues, on the corner of Albert and Argyl.

On the reason for the move Rhodes explains that their current space was rented, and that they had been looking for some time for a premises to buy. 

The synagogue complex will also give the gallery a little more room. 

“We’ll have the main display area on the ground floor and upstairs we’ll have a project room and a video room and extra viewing room”, said Rhodes; a change from their current premises which has barely any storage capacity. 

The gallery has purchased the synagogue complex in partnership with furniture designer, Gregor Jenkin, who will occupy a second building. Rhodes says painting of the exterior has already begun, and there will also be extensive work on the interior, to turn the synagogue into a blank gallery space, with a floating skin covering the walls and windows. 

“It’s also a real heritage building, which used to function as the synagogue for Woodstock” says Rhodes, “the hall still has its original detailing”. Appropriately, the first show in the new space will take Woodstock as its subject; in an exhibition by Cape Town artist, and ‘Throbber, Renee Holleman.