Goodman Gallery is an art gallery founded in Johannesburg, South Africa by Linda Givon (previously Goodman) in 1966.[1][2] The gallery operates spaces in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and London. It represents both established and emerging artists who are regarded as having helped shape the landscape of contemporary art in Southern Africa.

Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg

History

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Founded during apartheid, the gallery opened with a show of 30 artists, mostly leading European modernists. It remained a "resolutely non-discriminatory space", protecting its artists and freedom of expression during the political tumult.[1]

Goodman Gallery focuses on collaborating with southern African artists, both established and emerging; those from the greater African continent; and international artists who engage with the African context.[3] South African artists such as David Koloane, David Goldblatt, Sue Williamson and Sam Nhlengethwa have exhibited there.[4]

In 2008, Liza Essers purchased the gallery.[5]

In 2012, South Africa's governing party, the African National Congress, went to court to try to force Goodman Gallery to remove The Spear, a painting by Brett Murray that appeared to depict South Africa's president Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed.[6] On the morning of 22 May 2012, two men entered the gallery during visiting hours and defaced the painting—first by painting a red cross over the depiction of Zuma's face and genitals and then by smearing black paint over the canvas. The two—Barend la Grange and Lowie Mabokela[7]—were arrested. In exchange for the ANC's agreeing to drop a lawsuit, the gallery agreed to remove the work from the exhibition.[8]

In 2016, Goodman Gallery was named one of 500 best galleries worldwide by Modern Painters.[9] It also celebrated its 50th anniversary the same year with the two-part curatorial mission, In Context, co-curated by Essers and artist Hank Willis Thomas that explored notions of African identity in both the United States and Africa.[3] The gallery hosted the seventh international conference on African and African American art, Black Portraiture[s] III: Reinventions, Strains of Histories and Culture.[1]

Also in 2016, Goodman Gallery signed a permanent lease for Pollen Estate in London.

Artists

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Goodman Gallery represents living artists including:

In addition, the gallery manages various artist estates, including:

In the past, the gallery has worked with the following artists and estates:

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Citchon Miller, Emma (2016). "Goodman Gallery marks 50 years in Johannesburg". Financial Times.
  2. ^ a b Rachel Spence (26 September 2019),Art with a conscience: Goodman Gallery opens in London Financial Times.
  3. ^ a b Binlot, Ann (Dec 31, 2016). "Through Apartheid And Zuma, South Africa's Goodman Gallery Endures 50 Years On". Forbes.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Goodman Gallery". Ocula.com. 20 January 2023.
  5. ^ Roffino, Sara (December 2016). "Dealer's Notebook: Liza Essers". Art + Auction. p. 18: Louise Blouin Media.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  6. ^ Lydia Polgreen (22 May 2012), Painting Stirs a Debate in South Africa New York Times.
  7. ^ Adam Martin (23 May 2012). "Painting of South African President's Penis Defaced". The Atlantic. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
  8. ^ Lydia Polgreen (30 May 2012), Amid Uproar, Graphic Painting of South African President Is Removed From Gallery New York Times.
  9. ^ "500 Best Galleries Worldwide". Modern Painters. p. 109: Louise Blouin Media. 2016.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Alex Greenberger (26 May 2017),Goodman Gallery Now Represents Yinka Shonibare MBE, Samson Kambalu, More ARTnews.
  11. ^ a b c d Claire Selvin (5 October 2020),Linda Givon, Founder of South Africa's Goodman Gallery, Has Died at Age 84 ARTnews.
  12. ^ Alex Greenberger (4 April 2023),Pace Gallery Takes on Grada Kilomba, a Favorite of the Biennial Circuit ARTnews.
  13. ^ Alex Greenberger (1 July 2019),David Koloane, Key Figure in Apartheid-Era South African Art, Dies at 81 ARTnews.
  14. ^ Holland Cotter (11 July 2019), David Koloane, Whose Art Was a Weapon Against Apartheid, Dies at 81 New York Times.
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