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Johannesburg gallery exhibits work from emerging African artists

Reporter: Julie Scheier 丨 CCTV.com

12-06-2016 00:15 BJT

To South Africa, and calling all art lovers. A gallery in Johannesburg has brought together some of the best emerging artists on the continent -- providing a valuable platform for them to develop their work.

It used to be a mining camp, now it's home to the Living Artist Emporium - a gallery dedicated solely to budding artists on the continent.

"We've got a platform for emerging artists we've got artists from all over Africa, from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, SA itself so we provide a platform where we partner with artists. We provide the materials we provide the infrastructure the studio space and this is the result that you see," said Eric Botha, co-founder of Living Artist Emporium.

The emporium has quickly become one of Johannesburg's hippest galleries, and a space where up-and-coming artists can take their work to new heights.

"Before I got here art was just a thing I did out of passion but since I came here they really opened up my mind and not to see art just as a hobby but something that you can do as a business something you can earn a living with. If you want to make meaningful art then this is the place to be," said artist Dani Njoli.

"This place has helped me a lot because I've done exhibitions with some of the top artists around here in SA. It's very hard there are so many guys out there so many guys doing art the competition is tight you have to come up with something that is brilliant and mind blowing idea," said artist Kealeboga Tlalang.

The Living Artist Emporium turns the model of a traditional art gallery on its head, proudly advertising itself as "breaking the rules of art!".

"We focus on the 'emerging artists' concept where in SA there is not really people catering for that people, all galleries always looking for well-established names because that's how the art world works so these guys are just starting out in their careers," said Eric Botha.

"Our art is very affordable but also its got the great potential to increase in value as it goes on," said Conrad Bo, co-founder of Living Artist Emporium.

The art and talent coming out of this place is truly inspiring and the fact that it focuses on emerging African artists makes it even more special and meaningful.

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