Joburg painted red by unconventional Nhlengethwa showcase

Legendary South African artist, Sam Nhlengethwa’s exhibition at one of Johannesburg’s premier hotels marks his first foray into showing his work in an unconventional space. The collection at the Radisson RED Johannesburg-Rosebank hotel features a selection of his globally-acclaimed figure paintings, collages, tapestries and prints. It follows an extended exhibition by Zimbabwean portraitist Tega Tafadzwa. 

The hotel has embarked on a programme to highlight relevant and cultural perspectives to guests by outfitting its common areas with works by heralded African painters, photographers and sculptors. These exhibitions, lasting between nine and 12 months each, align with the RDC Property Group and hotel owner’s commitment to empower artists in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.  

Nhlengethwa became aware of the initiative last year.  
“I popped in there not knowing they were showing works by [visual artist] Zanele Muholi,” he explained.  

When the invitation came to show his own work, he accepted.  

The artist, his representatives from the Goodman Gallery in the city and RDC vice chairman Guido Giachetti sat down to iron out the details, resulting in an exhibition of 10 pieces that will run for the next year.  

“This means a lot to me,” the 70-year-old, named the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year as far back as 1994. “It just shows what we do doesn’t just belong in a gallery or a museum. This is quite a brilliant idea by the owners of the Radisson RED Rosebank Hotel,” he added. 

The only other time his work appeared outside of a gallery was when a rendition of one of his paintings adorned a billboard promoting a national bank. His depictions of the evolution of the City of Gold through street life, interiors, jazz musicians and fashion both prior to and beyond the fall of apartheid have made him a revered name among collectors.  Nhlengethwa, a founding member of the Bag Factory in Newtown, has shown his works worldwide.  

The Whitechapel Gallery in London, SCAD Museum of Art in America, Museu de Arte Contemporanea de Niteroi in Brazil and Seippel Art Gallery in Germany, among others, have all presented his striking creations. The 10 pieces in his current exhibition include a towering tapestry paying tribute to American jazz icon Miles Davis and “The Grand Piano”, one of his favourites.  

RDC has traditionally supported artists in countries where it has had a long-term presence. Besides South Africa, these include Botswana, Mozambique, the United States, Croatia, Zambia and Madagascar.  The aim is to ensure that the arts and cultural ecosystems in these countries benefit from the Group’s developments.  

“This curation ensures that the hotel continues to expand its contemporary collection while celebrating the work of these artists,” Giachetti, whose intention is to create a visually-impactful hospitality hub, said.  

The company is well-known among the creative community, having sponsored the Art for Space and Space for Art awards at the Cape Town Art Fair over the past three years. Even when it comes to its interior architecture, the Radisson RED Rosebank has made a point of sourcing from local artists, design-makers and manufacturers.  

As such, the hotel has gained a reputation for embracing fresh, innovative and bold designs while retaining a deep level of authenticity inspired by the people of Africa.  
“The Radisson RED brand aligns with our ethos of bringing diversity to our community,” Giachetti said.