Mmoloki wa mehopolo: Breaking Bread with a Wanderer, a solo exhibition of work by Johannesburg-based visual artist and photographer Lebohang Kganye serves as a fitting curtain raiser to mark the opening of renowned South African art industry expert Elana Brundyn’s latest endeavour, Brundyn Arts & Culture (BA&C).
Brundyn, whose illustrious 25-year-long career encompasses the founding her own gallery in addition to her instrumental role in launching influential African arts platforms Zeitz MOCAA and Norval Foundation, has a reputation for foregrounding artists to watch. That Kganye is part of a new generation of South African artists on the ascent spotlights the exciting talent that will be showcased through BA&C as it adds new heft to South Africa’s art scene.
A museum-standard space for presenting artists and their work is but one aspect of BA&C, which has its physical location in the heart of Cape Town at historic Mandela Rhodes Place. Through BA&C Brundyn has brought to fruition her longstanding vision of creating an art consultancy with a broader scope, rooted in South Africa and the African continent but with a global outlook. With the goal of providing deeper access to artists and the art industry, BA&C offers specialised services that focus on collection development, art projects and exhibitions, and educational programmes.
Questioning traditional cultural authorities, institutional models, and accepted narratives is at the core of BA&C’s practice. The consultancy takes its place in the transformative art ecosystem with an underpinning of expert knowledge, enabling BA&C to complement the collector’s personal journey.
“Art has the ability to unite us, regardless of our identities or whereabouts,” says Brundyn. “At BA&C, we work with people who are interested in art, from individual and corporate clients to novice and seasoned art collectors. We aim to deepen understanding of artists and art itself within a global context.”
Mmoloki wa mehopolo: Breaking Bread with a Wanderer, on show at BA&C until 15 October, is not to be missed. Kganye’s first solo presentation in Cape Town, it showcases work from five projects produced over the past decade.
Through photography, sculpture, performance, installation and film, Kganye explores what she calls “fictional history” – merging material and characters from her family archive with resonant elements from theatre and literature to create profound and moving scenarios based on real or imagined oral and collective histories.
“This collaboration is an inspired chapter in a series that will showcase different and more intimate facets of both art and artists in the Brundyn Arts & Culture space,” Brundyn notes.
Brundyn firmly believes that art stands as a cornerstone of a robust and sustainable society, a conviction that strengthens her commitment to providing access to contemporary art and culture in South Africa and globally.
Brundyn Arts & Culture services:
Collection Development: Brundyn recognises the investment value that collectors across the globe seek when acquiring artworks. Leveraging the extensive expertise of the team and their vast global network, BA&C grants deeper access to a diverse range of artworks. Undertaking the crucial responsibility of developing, diversifying, and preserving clients’ collections. Their independent, confidential, and comprehensive services encompass market research, artwork acquisition and deaccessioning, logistics, collections management, after-sale services, and even assistance in establishing art foundations.
Art Projects and Exhibitions: The realm of BA&C’s expertise extends to the production of world-class exhibitions and collaborative ventures with eminent contemporary artists, international galleries, and auction houses. This is achieved through their museum-standard exhibition spaces, situated in the historic Mandela Rhodes Place in Cape Town, which hold both immense cultural and historical significance.
Art and Educational Programmes: Understanding that art encapsulates value on multiple levels, BA&C works closely with clients to craft tailored art programmes that strategically amplify their brands and foster long-term engagement with a global audience. Leveraging their network and expertise, they bring together artists who align with each individual company’s brand values, communication objectives, and budgetary considerations. Moreover, the team provides guidance on philanthropic initiatives and implements educational programs, including specialised art tours and projects in collaboration with partners across the globe.
