How Sandton's Simon Rose Gallery is breaking barriers for Black artists

JOHANNESBURG - Whether you work in the art industry or are just a fan, we can all appreciate that artists have something special to offer the world, and galleries are repositories of the greatest human endeavours.

But the art industry is sometimes portrayed as a stronghold of exclusivity due to its esteemed galleries and sophisticated shows. 

Insert the newly-opened Simon Rose Gallery in the center of Sandton, which showcases the creations of well-known South African artists, like Samurai Farai, Njabulo Hlophe, Reneilloe Madida, and Sthu Manaka. Tradition, cultural identity, and the human spirit's unwavering tenacity are some topics their work highlights.

The gallery has so far gone out of its way to produce art that speaks to its viewers, from all walks of life. 

To find out more about the establishment, which started as a crude sketch on a piece of paper, and then a Sims 4 mockup, before finally being established, Eyewitness News caught up with Simon Rose Gallery curator, Reneilloe Madida.

"It’s been an absolute joy being a part of the journey and watching the brand grow," Madida stated.

SIMON ROSE GALLERY BACK STORY

"Founded by Mqondisi (MQ) Mhlanzi, the Simon Rose Gallery was named after both of his parents in an effort to empower and provide a platform for up-and-coming Black artists and creatives. He had been thinking modestly about such a project for some time, as he waited for the right moment. I think everyone should be pleased with themselves now that everything has been done effectively".

WHAT MAKES SIMON ROSE GALLERY DIFFERENT?

"Simon Rose is unique because of its commitment to providing a platform for Black artists to express their talents, experiences, and narratives in their own words. The goal is to produce art that resonates with viewers who can frequently identify with these situations, giving the piece a sense of personal significance.

"Simon Rose also strives to dispel the myth that only the affluent or fortunate can appreciate art. Rather, the goal is to create a friendly environment where everyone can appreciate and interact with art. The emphasis is on promoting inclusivity in the art field and making sure that many viewpoints and narratives are acknowledged".

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACHIEVE AS A GALLERY?

"In order to test our idea in the market and see whether opening a permanent gallery is feasible, we have chosen to operate our gallery as a pop-up right now. We have learned a lot from this temporary model, and it serves as a reminder that starting a gallery is not only feasible, but also highly successful.

"Our next big objective is to find a permanent site, and we intend to start full operations early the next year. But we recognise that finding a permanent location is only one stage in the process. It will be a while before we can genuinely call ourselves among the top galleries.

"Increasing our marketing efforts, developing a solid brand model, and making sure that our gallery is recognised in a variety of settings and on a variety of platforms are some of our main priorities. Having a sizable, long-term space that can accommodate the work of even more Black artists is the aim. We are also eager to work with companies and brands who share our values and objectives. In order to further engage the creative community and further the careers of Black artists, we intend to collaborate with these organisations to organise sponsored events, activations, and other projects".

TURNING CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES

"We've had some difficulties as a new gallery. Instead of seeing them as issues, we would rather see them as chances for development. Since obstacles are what motivate us to get better, every obstacle we've faced has only improved our abilities and fortified our game.

"Nevertheless, planning the Simon Rose Gallery debut day has been one of the most stressful tasks thus far. Naturally, there was a sense of trepidation, because we didn't know what kind of turnout to anticipate. Even with something as significant as a launch event, there's always a degree of uncertainty. However, in spite of our early reservations, the event surpassed our expectations. We even made a few sales because of the fantastic crowd. This achievement told us that we had the capacity to be the best, in addition to confirming that we are headed in the correct direction."

EVERYONE IS WELCOME AT SIMON ROSE GALLERY 

"Everybody is welcome. The opening day was quite an event because people from many fields and worlds came here, and I was thrilled to talk to them and hear their experiences.

"The gallery is located on the third story of the Mercedes Benz building at 92 Rivonia Road in the center of Sandton, if you would like to visit."