SOPHISTICATION AND FRESHNESS

Art Eye has directed its focus on being a platform for great expression and story telling. Our artists are not only dedicated to their individual practices but express narratives that are directly focused on what it means to live in South Africa today. With great diversity and cultural miscellany, South African Contemporary Visual Art communicates a continent of richness, of physical being and a visual aesthetic to an international audience. We exist in an age where our traditions, our backgrounds and opinions can affect and even disable the often-fragile interaction with those around us. We are constantly influx in our individual realities, trying to find our place in this multifaceted country. While establishing place our conversations and exchanges layer meaningful insights with those different to us. Contemporary South African Art seems to highlight this interplay as artists use their own narratives as subject matter for their works; creating dialogues that are relatable and encourage us to not only talk to each other but share and collaborate. Art seems to transcend its object(ness) as a commercial commodity and exists often as a signifier of the space and time we that we live in. The Art Eye Gallery is a collaborative space that perpetuates this idea of free expression and community. 

Artists have been invited to participate in workshops, live drawing sessions and residencies thus far; creating a platform for interdisciplinary interventions as well as allowing for the exhibition of other visual art forms. AE The Launchpad, our new exhibition space that has recently been completed is a pristine exhibition space where guests are invited to experience Art sensually. The visuals that are placed on the walls are complimented by hints of ylang ylang, amidst a cacophony of instruments filling the room. The moody dark space allows our visitors the room to intimately and quietly engage with the work. The space will host an array of different art forms from video, performance, musical and installation artists, broadening our scope but still maintaining a direction towards original production and creativity.

Art Eye has continued to centre its focus on creating platforms for emerging and established artists to gain exposure and create sustainable visual arts careers. The AE Launchpad concomitantly bridges the gap between the formal exhibition space and workshop space allowing for artists to experiment, converse and express their innermost thoughts through the visual arts medium. It is our belief that visual arts stands to not only reflect a contemporary aesthetic but more importantly reflect the perspective of our current society.

AE The Studio, AE The Launchpad and AE The Project Room function in adjoining spaces, creating a synchronicity between traditional workshop spaces and exhibition spaces. The Launchpad and Project Room is a vibrant new space where we hope to explore the infinite scope of South African art making, by shining a light on new and upcoming artists.

The Art Eye Gallery is dedicated to the promotion of South African Art and artists. The building houses artists, galleries and art practitioners creating multiple dialogues around the production and exhibition of contemporary art. Art Eye chose this new space drawn by its creative energy and close proximity to the inner city. The Art Eye inner city spaces are ventures dedicated to breaking down barriers and celebrating our diversity through Art. These spaces exist in order to create visibility and conjure discussions around humanity, diversity and create a sense of community between artists and art buyers.