Art South Africa is a lavish and comprehensive quarterly
magazine, which addresses issues around contemporary visual art in
South Africa, as well as the crossover between art and fashion,
architecture, music and design.
Winner of two Mondi Magazine Awards for Reviews Writing and Design and Illustration (2004).
Who is
the publisher?
Art South
Africa was first published in September 2002 by Bell-Roberts Print &
Publishing, an independent publishing company specialising in bespoke art
publications and co-publishing ventures.
Who
reads it?
Published
in English, the Art South Africa readers are cross-cultural and academically
informed, with genuine interest in the aesthetics especially that of
contemporary visual art. The reader is of no defined race, age or gender.
The
magazine's careful blend of restrained insight and cutting-edge provocation has
made it popular with university students, art academics, graphic designers,
newspaper editors and writers, thus gaining academic accreditation. Indeed
anyone interested in the cultural life of South Africa will find Art South
Africa appealing and insightful.
Who
writes for it?
Art South
Africa's editorial policy is to offer well-written, thorough journalism.
Previous issues have featured profiles by engaged art critics such as Ivor
Powell and Hazel Friedman, as well as thoughtful academic writing by the likes
of Colin Richards and Thembinkosi Goniwe. The author Ivan Vladislavic has
previously contributed, as have the Mail & Guardian's Nic Dawes and Sam
Raditlhalo of the University of Cape Town. Sean O'Toole, an independent
journalist and columnist, edits the magazine.
Who are
the artists featured?
Art South
Africa's emphasis has always been on cutting edge visual art and artists, with
insightful attention also given to neglected artists working in the modernist
tradition. Previous cover artists have included: William Kentridge, Berni
Searle, Robin Rhode, Tracy Rose, Moshekwa Langa, Minnette Vari, Jo Ractliffe,
Kathryn Smith, Leigh Voigt, Jane Alexander, Brett Murray, Avant Car Guard, and Malcolm Payne
What
does the industry say?
Industry
peers have acknowledged Art South Africa's high calibre of journalism and
meticulous design. Thus resulting in the magazine winning two Mondi Magazine
Awards in 2004. Already regarded as an industry benchmark, the weekly Mail
& Guardian column (October 29, 2004) of Mike van Graan, described the magazine
as "excellent."
Who
advertises in it?
Current and
previous advertisers have included established private and public galleries
(Goodman Gallery, Michael Stevenson, Everard Read Gallery, Gallery on the
Square, Iziko: South African National Gallery, Durban Art Gallery and others)
as well as top financial services companies (Standard Bank, Investec, Mettle)
and niche creative enterprises (Stefan Antoni Architecture).
What are
the technical specifications?
The average
size of the magazine is 112 pages, with the maximum of 30%, allocated to
advertising. The magazine is printed on 170gm gloss art paper.
Art South Africa
costs R95 and can be bought at the following leading stores:
- Exclusive Books, nationwide
- Fascination Books, nationwide
- Wordsworth Books, nationwide
- CNA, nationwide
- Clarke's Bookstore, Cape Town
- Boekehuis, Melville, Johannesburg
- NSA Gallery, Durban
- Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg
- Art South Africa magazine/store, Fairweather House, 176 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
- Most exclusive
coffee shops, delis and art galleries nationwide
- The magazine is also sold in the US,
UK and Europe
