ARTdacity
Welcome to ARTdacity—a podcast dedicated to contemporary African art. I’m Jo-Ann Strauss, a media professional from Cape Town, and this is my love letter to art and its power to shape our lives.
ARTdacity S3 E7: A Protea Is Not a Flower
Tonight, the red walls of the Zeitz MOCAA aren't just a design choice—they are a provocation. I am honored to be at the opening of the exhibition A Protea Is Not a Flower, a deep-dive research project that places contemporary giants Robin Rhode and Lerato Shadi in a haunting, vital…
ARTdacity S3 E6: Johannes Segogela
The beauty of the Cape Town Art Fair lies in its serendipity. While grabbing breakfast at "Between Us," I followed a "rabbit hole" led by London-based gallerist Isaac and found myself in an extraordinary, hidden space dedicated to the late Johannes Segogela. Johannes (1936–2018) was a master of wood sculpture…
ARTdacity S3 E5: From Modernist Masters to Hair Matters - Strauss & Co
Cape Town is alive with the electric energy of Art Fair season, and we’re right in the heart of the action at Strauss & Co.to explore two extraordinary exhibitions that bookend the story of South African art: “Portway to Cohen” and the deeply poignant “Hair Matters.” I’m joined by art…
ARTdacity S3 E4: Nicola Brandt
There is a silence in Namibia that speaks louder than words—a vastness that Jo-Ann Strauss describes as a place where one can truly "hear God." In this episode of ARTdacity, we sit down with Namibian-born artist, photographer, and scholar Nicola Brandt to discuss her breathtaking new book, Reducing The Distance…
ARTdacity S3 E3: Chris Soal
You can’t miss Chris Soal—not just because he is frequently the tallest person in the room, but because his work possesses a magnetic, architectural gravity that pulls you in. Ahead of the launch of his new monograph, I sat down with this visionary young artist to trace a career that…
ARTdacity S3 E2: Masekhaya
In this deeply personal season milestone, we gather at the Zeitz MOCAA Members Lounge to celebrate more than just a birthday—we are birthing a dream. I am officially launching the Masekhaya Foundation, a name that bridges my worlds: ‘Ma se-’ (my mother’s) and ‘khaya’ (home). This episode is a reflection…
ARTdacity S3 E1: Intro
It feels surreal to be standing at the threshold of Season 3, exactly one year since we launched ARTdacity on Valentine’s Day 2025. This milestone is more than just an anniversary; it’s a beautiful, full-circle moment as we celebrate the official launch of the Masekhaya Foundation—a dream that has come…
Season2 E12: Emotions of the Sun
We're basking in the light and optimism of Veuve Clicquot's incredible exhibition, "Emotions of the Sun," showing at the Youngblood Art Gallery until December 21st. I speak with three of the eight phenomenal, world-renowned photographers Christina de Middel, Newsha Tavakolian, and South Africa’s own Lindokuhle Sobekwa - who were given…
Season 2 Episode 11: Reflections on Season 2 and looking forward
As we close Season 2 of ARTdacity, I’m filled with gratitude for the incredible artists, curators, and listeners who’ve joined this journey -exploring how art shapes who we are and how we see the world. This season has deepened our conversations about creativity, identity, and connection across the continent and…
Season 2 Episode 10: Zolani Mahola
In Episode 10 of ARTdacity Season 2, I sit down with Zolani Mahola- celebrated singer, storyteller, and creative force. Her roots in the Eastern Cape have profoundly shaped her artistry and worldview. We explore how her journey, music, and spirituality intertwine to create a deeply authentic expression of art and…
Season 2 Episode 9: Klop Klop by @halfandhalve Collective Under the Aegis
In Episode 9 of ARTdacity Season 2, I sit down with the creative collective Half and Halve to unpack their exhibition, Klop Klop, hosted at Under the Aegis - a space founded by Anelisa Mangcu. We explore how identity, collaboration, and art intersect in their bold, thought-provoking practice.
Season 2 Episode 8: Albie Sachs
In Episode 8 of ARTdacity Season 2, I sit down with Albie Sachs-freedom fighter, former Constitutional Court judge, and art lover -at his home in Clifton, just before he left for London for The Albies, a global human rights award ceremony. We discuss his exhibition Spring is Rebellious, currently showing…
Season 2 Episode 7: BMW Young Collectors
the BMW Young Collectors was started in 2020 as a network for emerging collectors to learn more through the likes of Mandla Sibeko an incredible art professional. I had the pleasure of joining Mandla and one of the collectors who was featured on the program Veronique Savigne at her incredible…
Episode 6: Mandla Sibeko
This week on ARTdacity I spoke to Mandla Sibeko who is the person behind Joburg Art Fair as well as BMW Art Generation. He has also made a huge impact but his impact extends far beyond collection to also curating events that really help to highlight the significance of art…
Episode 5: Benjamin Fueglister of Africa Basel
Benjamin Fueglister, co-founder of the newly launched Africa Basel chats to us about his ambitious new fair spotlighting contemporary African art during one of the world’s biggest art weeks. We explore the motivations behind its creation, the challenges African galleries face in global markets, and how this fair hopes to…
Episode 4: Marc Barben of Stevenson
Marc Barben of Stevenson speaks about the gallery’s collective model, curating for Art Basel, and how a diverse team brings fresh energy to their programme. From historic works like a rare 1947 Ernest Mancoba to new pieces by Penny Siopis, Portia Zvavahera, and Simphiwe Ndzube, we unpack what’s heading to…
Episode 3: Liza Essers of Goodman Gallery
I speak with Liza Essers, owner of Goodman Gallery, about her remarkable journey from economics and film into the art world. We explore how she’s helped shape South Africa’s art ecosystem, taken African voices to the global stage, and what to expect from her booth at Art Basel this year—including…
Episode 2: Jonathan Garnham of Blank Projects
I sit down with Jonathan Garnham of blank projects, a trailblazing Cape Town gallery known for its focus on abstraction. We talk about his journey from artist to gallerist, the challenges of showing at Art Basel, and what it takes to put African art on the global stage.
Season 2 Episode 1: Introduction
We reflect on the impact of the late Koyo Kouoh, a towering figure in African contemporary art. We reflect on her legacy and how her passing reshaped the season’s direction. The episode also spotlights the 3 South African galleries who have achieved international success at Art Basel and who are…
Artdacity Episode 10: Cape Town Art Fair
Art fairs serve as a dynamic platform for showcasing emerging and established artists while fostering connections between collectors, galleries, and the public. The Cape Town Art Fair, the largest of its kind in Africa, is a vibrant hub where local and international artists converge. From the Tomorrow’s Today section championing…