All is fair in Joburg Art Fair love and war

I WAS not going to write this review but I just couldn't resist as I witnessed some well-written vituperation being levelled against this year's FNB Art Joburg fair which took place at the Sandton Convention Centre in the first weekend of this month. Some of which I agreed with, some of which made me wonder "did I attend the same fair?

- UNATHI KONDILE

From "The artworks lacked authenticity" to "Still Kentridge?" to "Black portraiture felt more algorithm than art” to “Why was Santu Mofokeng's work hung on a pink wall?" and inanities on the commercialisation of culture at an art fair. Kanti what on earth is an art fair na?

Cultural analyst, Ashraf Jamal, soberly deduced that this year's fair was more joyous, easier and less angsty. Put simply, there was nice art. From the flowery heavy impasto Georgina Gratix that greets one as they walk in, to Levy Pooe's standout 'se segolo ke bophelo' neo-cubist presentation, right up to Iwalewa Books’ well-curated space at the back of the hall.

"The audience was like 85% black African this year. When these critics say it was a bad fair, I think that is what they were referring to. Which is not true.