One&Only Cape Town Recently named the World Design Capital for 2014 by the International Design Alliance Congress, Cape Town has emerged as a global hub for travellers seeking to explore the vast design and cultural assets of South Africa.
In response to this growing interest in the creative culture, One&Only Cape Town has introduced a collection of private art tours showcasing techniques and galleries from regional talents including: Irma Stern, William Kentridge, Sam Nhlengethwa and famed commercial (and controversial) artist of the 1950’s Vladimir Tretchikoff.
Exclusive to One&Only Cape Town, these carefully curated full and half day tours aim to take guests deep into the heart of Cape Town’s dynamic art world.
Since opening in April 2009, One&Only Cape Town has championed a synergy between art and hospitality in South Africa.
Drawing on his own passion for collecting art, Sol Kerzner, world renowned interior designer Adam D. Tihany, Liza Essers of the Goodman Gallery, and leading South African art historian Michael Stevenson, commissioned several prominent South African artists to create works for the resort and personally sought out thought-provoking pieces to form a unique environment of creativity and individuality.
By tapping into the country’s cultural landscape, spaces within One&Only Cape Town are given over to eye-catching installations and cutting-edge canvasses, while the mezzanine level of the resort launches a new branch of the contemporary art gallery, Goodman Gallery.
Galleries Art Tour
Accompanied by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable art expert, guests depart One&Only Cape Town and begin their education with a visit to a collection of galleries including: Everard Read’s V&A Waterfront space, the always inspiring Michael Stevenson Contemporary in Woodstock, the nearby Goodman Gallery (the Cape Town ‘headquarters’ of the hotel’s own art gallery) as well as What if the World Gallery, the brainchild of maverick contemporary art specialists Justin Rhodes and Cameron Munro.
A visit to Worldart, where cutting edge artworks by local contemporary artists are curated, is also included. Guests will have an opportunity to meet with the curators of each space, to view current exhibitions and engage with their guide regarding art investments and collector’s pieces in each of these esteemed galleries.
The Galleries Tour also includes a stop at the Irma Stern Museum, housed in the famous artist’s former home, a visit to enigmatic collector-curator Johan Borman’s gallery and a trip to Kalk Bay Modern - home to a diverse collection of artworks, ceramics and contemporary art prints.
The tour concludes at the Casa Labia, an Italianite residence boasting its own outstanding gallery curated by contemporary specialist João Ferreira.
Contemporary Art Tour
For guests seeking to meet the actual artists behind the celebrated works, this specialised tour begins in the once run-down suburb of Woodstock at the newly opened The Foundry where metalworker and sculptor Otto du Plessis of Bronze Age, holds court.
A host of shops and studios, including a hanging plant installation, jeweller and home décor stop complete the morning at this hip hub of creativity.
Guests will then travel to the nearby studio of painter Alex Hamilton before visiting the Old Biscuit Mill to meet ceramicist Andile Dyulvane at his Imiso studio and the Pot Luck Club & Gallery where emerging contemporary artists’ works are on show.
From here, guests depart for the Southern Suburbs, heading for the artists’ haven of Kalk Bay to meet porcelain ceramicist Katherine Glenday, acclaimed painter Marlise Keith and jeweller Nic Bladen - just three of the successful artists and creatives who live here.
The quaint village is also home to a number of galleries and vintage bric ‘a brac stores.
One&Only Cape Town is presently in the running for the title of South Africa’s Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards.