Liza Essers
Courtesy of Goodman Gallery and Anthea Pokroy
South Africas Goodman Gallery is to open in London this autumn, the first name to be confirmed for Pollen Estates capacious Cork Street gallery redevelopment which has been empty aside from pop-up shows since it was completed last year.
Adding to galleries in Cape Town and Johannesburg, Goodman Gallerys new space at 26 Cork Street will extend to 5730 sq. ft across the ground and basement floors of the Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners designed building.
Undeterred by Brexit jitters and political upheaval, Goodman Gallerys owner and director Liza Essers says she feels this is the perfect time to move into the UK capital: “For a gallery that has championed social justice for over 50 years, I feel it is important to play more of a front line role in shaping the discourse in the UK. At this time of heightened nationalist sentiment and populist politics, its important to reach beyond ones own borders and arriving in the UK approaching Brexit is an interesting time."
She adds: "A lot of people have said 'why are you coming now, arent you scared of Brexit?' And I actually dont feel that.” She wants to face it head on? “Yes, absolutely. Its about promoting social justice.”
Founded in 1966, Goodman Gallerys roster of artists includes established names such as Alfredo Jaar, William Kentridge and Shirin Neshat, alongside younger contemporary artists from Africa and the diaspora, such as Nolan Oswald Dennis, Kiluanji Kia Henda, Grada Kilomba, Kapwani Kiwanga, and Tabita Rezaire.
“Having a space in London really grows our impact on the global ecosystem in the long-term, as opposed to [African art] just being part of a fashionable moment,” Essers says. “We can ensure that the influence of African and diasporic art can stretch beyond that fashionable moment and be part of the discourse in terms of writing other perspectives into art history.” Although she does not rule out opening in New York in the future, Essers says: “London has always been the first place I wanted to open up out of Africa.”
Is opening here in part to keep hold of artists at a time of increasing competition from other galleries? “Its definitely a part of it, but its not the prime reason,” Essers says. “Were opening with a global programme, and Alfredo Jaar, for example, has been committed to not signing with London galleries because heRead More – Source
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