Known as a flourishing creative hub, Cape Town has become a world-class destination for contemporary art, as well as having a long, rich heritage of cultural expression. Our extraordinary private collection of South African art – the largest in the country – is a celebration of this dynamic landscape and is exhibited throughout the property and in a dedicated gallery of contemporary works.
From landscape painter, Thomas Bowler, bringing 1800s Cape Town to life through his watercolours, to more recent pieces from artists like William Kentridge and his striking social commentary work; it is a vast and diverse collection.
Guests can take private tours of the collection with our in-house guides as well as explore Cape Town’s best art galleries and museums under their expert direction. Members of our Ellerman House family can enjoy behind-the-scenes access, curator- and artist-led tours and other insider exclusives, bringing the local art scene to life through a series of inspiring interactions with the most influential personalities in the industry.
Some of our favourite galleries in Cape Town
The city is home to many interesting art galleries showcasing a diverse range of media and disciplines. Here are just some of our recommendations:
Zeitz MOCAA
No list of Cape Town galleries and museums would be complete without Zeitz MOCAA; the largest museum of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. Housed in the old grain silo at the V&A Waterfront, which was transformed by British designer Thomas Heatherwick into a jaw-dropping architectural masterpiece of concrete and glass, the museum’s galleries feature rotating, temporary exhibitions with a dedicated space for the permanent collection.
Everard Read
The oldest commercial gallery in the country has garnered a stellar reputation for exhibiting emerging and established artists from South Africa and around the world. The Cape Town gallery space in a heritage stone building at the V&A Waterfront is paired with neighbouring CIRCA as well as one of Cape Town´s oldest dealerships; Louis Schachat´s “Die Kunskamer”, which is renowned for handling South African masters of the last century, as well as some contemporary works.
Christopher Møller Gallery
Directors Christopher Møller and Jaco Claassen offer fascinating tours of their contemporary art space set in a charming Victorian house on Kloof Nek Road. As collectors themselves, they offer valuable personal insight into the buying process while fulfilling their passion for empowering African artists and sharing their talent and skill with the world. The gallery’s central location also makes it ideal for combining with a visit to one of the nearby restaurants in buzzy Tamboerskloof.
Delaire Graff Wine Estate
Sharing our fervent adoration for African art and “dedicated to beauty in its many forms”, Delaire Graff is considered the gem of the Cape Winelands. Its extensive grounds, positioned atop the Helshoogte Pass with acres of tranquil gardens, are home to over 400 pieces of art and sculpture handpicked from Laurence Graff’s private collection. The focus here is broader, taking in work from across the continent (while the Ellerman House Art Collection is devoted solely to work by South African artists) and features such iconic works as Vladimir Tretchikoff’s Chinese Girl, multiple bronze sculptures by Dylan Lewis and drawings by William Kentridge.
Kalk Bay Modern
A trip along the False Bay coast to the south peninsula is rewarded with a visit to a small but very well-respected gallery space in the quaint fishing village of Kalk Bay. Apart from a striking collection of fine art, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and photography, Kalk Bay Modern is known for its remarkable collection of jewellery. Among these artists is sculptor and jewellery designer, Nic Bladen, with whom Ellerman House collaborated to create bespoke pieces of bronze art inspired by the fynbos surrounding the property that were then inlaid into the dashboard and door panels of our highly individualised BMW 745Le xDrive luxury sedan.
The Norval Foundation
One of the more recent arrivals on the Cape Town art scene, having opened to much fanfare in 2018, this compelling art destination in beautiful Steenberg is home to a gallery, sculpture garden, library, amphitheatre and two restaurants. A rotating exhibition of pieces from the Norval family’s private collection of 20th century South African art is the main attraction but culture is also an important part of the story here, with events like concerts, book fairs, artist talks, kids activities and creative workshops will keep the whole family entertained for hours.
Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2023
Now celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the largest contemporary art fair in Africa kicks off at the CTICC on the 17th of February. The fair provides a platform for collectors, galleries, curators, artists, and art journalists from around the world to engage through an exhibition exploring this year’s theme of “the notion of time”.
Dates: Friday 17 – Sunday 19 February 2023
Time: 11am – 7pm
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre
Tickets: Through Webtickets
