Ceramics, paintings & crafts in Cape Town or Jburg
Mar 23rd, 2007, 02:18 PM
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Ceramics, paintings & crafts in Cape Town or Jburg
I am getting ready for my trip to South Africa and Botswana in April!
I know that there is much more to Cape Town and Johannesburg than shopping, but I am looking for unique stores or markets where I can find typical (local) art and crafts… Any suggestions would be helpful of what to expect to find and where… I love ceramics, paintings, etchings, tapestries, jewelry and other kinds of artistic pieces (you get the idea, right?).
I am looking for less "touristy" pieces if possible. I have heard there are some wonderful art studios and galleries that you can visit... i am looking for specific recommendations.
These are the things I enjoy bringing back with me... this is one way to help me hold onto the trip once I am back to reality.
Thank you
I know that there is much more to Cape Town and Johannesburg than shopping, but I am looking for unique stores or markets where I can find typical (local) art and crafts… Any suggestions would be helpful of what to expect to find and where… I love ceramics, paintings, etchings, tapestries, jewelry and other kinds of artistic pieces (you get the idea, right?).
I am looking for less "touristy" pieces if possible. I have heard there are some wonderful art studios and galleries that you can visit... i am looking for specific recommendations.
These are the things I enjoy bringing back with me... this is one way to help me hold onto the trip once I am back to reality.
Thank you
Mar 26th, 2007, 02:32 PM
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If you are in Jo'burg on Sunday, visit the market on the roof of the Rosebank Mall's parking garage (next to the Grace Hotel.) There are crafts from all over and I've always been able to find some unique items. There is a permanent crafts market next door, as well.
Mar 27th, 2007, 01:57 AM
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mbt127
a good range of all types of art and craft will be found in the Victoria and Albert Waterfront precinct in Cape Town. As with all big malls, there is some trashy stuff, but I found unique pieces there as well. A bit on the expensive side, but a tremendous range of sculpture (modern & traditional), fabrics and clothes, jewellery, furniture and furnishings and carvings from all over Africa .
Long St in Cape Town has several art and craft stores so take a walk down there.
I have not shopped in J'Berg, so can't comment on its shopping delights.
Cape Town is a beautiful city, I’m sure you will love it. I plan to return next year so I will look forward to your trip report including what wonderful things you found and where.
M
a good range of all types of art and craft will be found in the Victoria and Albert Waterfront precinct in Cape Town. As with all big malls, there is some trashy stuff, but I found unique pieces there as well. A bit on the expensive side, but a tremendous range of sculpture (modern & traditional), fabrics and clothes, jewellery, furniture and furnishings and carvings from all over Africa .
Long St in Cape Town has several art and craft stores so take a walk down there.
I have not shopped in J'Berg, so can't comment on its shopping delights.
Cape Town is a beautiful city, I’m sure you will love it. I plan to return next year so I will look forward to your trip report including what wonderful things you found and where.
M
Mar 27th, 2007, 03:03 AM
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Curio markets for the most part have very little that is actually made in South Africa. Most of the masks, bowls, fabrics, etc. that are wooden, mud cloth, kente cloth, etc. come from elsewhere. These markets are fun to walk through and souvenirs suit the buyer's taste, so I won't begrudge anyone their West African mask as a memento of South Africa! In Cape Town, you can hit Greenmarket Square and on Sundays there is Greenpoint Market and the Hout Bay Craft Market.
Wire and bead and recycled-good craft is almost all South African. Buy a plastic bag chicken -- iconic SA craft item.
Good shops in Cape Town for "higher-end" craft and some jewellery that aren't selling schlock, kitsch or kak:
- Heartworks (Gardens Centre and Kloof Street near Melissa's)
- Africa Nova (Cape Quarter in De Waterkant)
- African Image (Church Street pedestrian section, just off Greenmarket Square)
- Golden Flowers (Khayelitsha)
- Montebello (Newlands Avenue in Newlands)
- The gift shops in the SA National Gallery and in the SA Museum are also good places to find quality treasures, but you might also come up empty -- worth a squizz though (both in the Company's Gardens)
You might also consider some amazing clothing items:
- Sun Goddess in the V&A Mall
- Mali South on Long Street and Longmarket Street
The best music store:
- The African Music Store (on Long Street between Wale and Dorp)
The best (serious) book store:
- Clarke's Books (on Long Street opposite Mama Africa restaurant)
- The Exclusive Books at the V&A has good picture books and fiction selections
Serious contemporary art galleries:
- Michael Stevenson Contemporary
- Joao Ferriera
- Bell-Roberts
- AVA Gallery
There are many other galleries with varying quality and costing. At the above, you will find serious, high-quality art acknowledged as such by the international marketplace (and you will pay accordingly!)
Ceramics of quality and distinctive aesthetics can be found reliably at the Potter's Studio in Kalk Bay. It's a bit hard to find as it's just off the main road, but ask around and they'll tell you which side street to turn down. Otherwise, Kalk Bay shops are...well...let's just say most of them strike me as tourist traps.
A great item often overlooked or overpaid-for are Zulu baskets. Not Cape Town, but definitely South African. You'll see them around once you start looking. They have designs not dissimilar from Hopi baskets in the US, but the shapes are very different. The best source (and pricing) is in KwaZulu-Natal near Hluhluwe -- Ilala Weavers. Fortunately, they're online (www.ilala.co.za) and will e-mail you pics and prices of their inventory and ship anywhere in the world reliably. I give them a big endorsement and have spent more money with them than I care to admit...
Of course then there's the wine, brandy, port and bubbly -- oh, and the diamonds, gold and tanzanite that are also quite popular, but I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding such items if they suit your taste and budget.
Happy shopping!
Kurt
--
afrikatourism.blogspot.com
Wire and bead and recycled-good craft is almost all South African. Buy a plastic bag chicken -- iconic SA craft item.
Good shops in Cape Town for "higher-end" craft and some jewellery that aren't selling schlock, kitsch or kak:
- Heartworks (Gardens Centre and Kloof Street near Melissa's)
- Africa Nova (Cape Quarter in De Waterkant)
- African Image (Church Street pedestrian section, just off Greenmarket Square)
- Golden Flowers (Khayelitsha)
- Montebello (Newlands Avenue in Newlands)
- The gift shops in the SA National Gallery and in the SA Museum are also good places to find quality treasures, but you might also come up empty -- worth a squizz though (both in the Company's Gardens)
You might also consider some amazing clothing items:
- Sun Goddess in the V&A Mall
- Mali South on Long Street and Longmarket Street
The best music store:
- The African Music Store (on Long Street between Wale and Dorp)
The best (serious) book store:
- Clarke's Books (on Long Street opposite Mama Africa restaurant)
- The Exclusive Books at the V&A has good picture books and fiction selections
Serious contemporary art galleries:
- Michael Stevenson Contemporary
- Joao Ferriera
- Bell-Roberts
- AVA Gallery
There are many other galleries with varying quality and costing. At the above, you will find serious, high-quality art acknowledged as such by the international marketplace (and you will pay accordingly!)
Ceramics of quality and distinctive aesthetics can be found reliably at the Potter's Studio in Kalk Bay. It's a bit hard to find as it's just off the main road, but ask around and they'll tell you which side street to turn down. Otherwise, Kalk Bay shops are...well...let's just say most of them strike me as tourist traps.
A great item often overlooked or overpaid-for are Zulu baskets. Not Cape Town, but definitely South African. You'll see them around once you start looking. They have designs not dissimilar from Hopi baskets in the US, but the shapes are very different. The best source (and pricing) is in KwaZulu-Natal near Hluhluwe -- Ilala Weavers. Fortunately, they're online (www.ilala.co.za) and will e-mail you pics and prices of their inventory and ship anywhere in the world reliably. I give them a big endorsement and have spent more money with them than I care to admit...
Of course then there's the wine, brandy, port and bubbly -- oh, and the diamonds, gold and tanzanite that are also quite popular, but I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding such items if they suit your taste and budget.
Happy shopping!
Kurt
--
afrikatourism.blogspot.com
Mar 27th, 2007, 03:16 AM
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One more to add!
I forgot a VERY popular and distinctively South African treasure: Carrol Boyes. The flagship store is in the V&A, but you'll find licensed stockists across town. Pewter and stainless steel cutlery, vases, etc. Also linked with Monkey Biz, one of the best beading collectives in the country.
www.carrolboyes.co.za
Kurt
--
afrikatourism.blogspot.com
I forgot a VERY popular and distinctively South African treasure: Carrol Boyes. The flagship store is in the V&A, but you'll find licensed stockists across town. Pewter and stainless steel cutlery, vases, etc. Also linked with Monkey Biz, one of the best beading collectives in the country.
www.carrolboyes.co.za
Kurt
--
afrikatourism.blogspot.com
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