Obs’ heart of art
Over 300 people attended the April 13th, AHEM! Art Collective launch night at 77 Lower Main Road, neighbouring the infamous Trump Towers.
The evening drew an audience of diplomats, artists, illustrators, animators and Cape Town's hot and hip.
This stylish and chic gallery hosts works from French, Russian, Japanese, Canadian, American, Nigerian and South African illustrators.
Over 100 high quality limited edition framed prints offer visitors a curated collage of works.
These works of art include artists such as Alex Diboine, Andrew McClean, Atelier Sento, Dani Diez, Emmanuel Chavez, Gautier Alfervic, Greg Broadmore, Iris Muddy, Sachin Teng, Scott Wills, Simonie Massi, Tim
Probert Uysse Malassange, Ushiki Masanori, Violaine Bruit and many more.
The line-up includes the crème of South African illustration - Joh Del, Ree Treeweek, Ben Winfield, Andrea Du Plessis, Stuart Scott, and Jean De Wet.
Joh Del's "Cape Town in 3000AD" depicts a futuristic view of the mother city and is a popular attraction with collectors.
But why a gallery in Observatory and next to Trump Towers?
Barbara Langridge, gallery owner, explained that Observatory is a student hub for UCT, AFDA, City Varsity, the Animation School and SAE.
The industry is driven by young artists and Obs has always attracted artists because of the student life and café culture. "It makes sense!"
Regarding her choice of the stretch of Lower main that houses Trump Towers, she stated residents of Observatory complain about the towers and she believes that Art could make all the difference.
The owners of Trump Towers are art collectors and show support for local artists like Selvin November who has studios at Trump Towers.
It appears that the owners are open to collaborating with AHEM! to re-create Trump Towers as a thriving centre for "Art on Lower Main". Barbara believes they can make this a reality and that is why they decided to take the first leap of faith, to make a difference.
Future plans include a line-up of exhibitions that run in conjunction with Art Thursdays in Obs. The next feature event will be "Dinner with Vladimir Tretchkoff".
Launch night on 7 June will be preceded by a private dinner function hosted at the Gallery.
Guests will be looking at the works of Tretchikoff and his life contribution to printed art, alongside exhibited originals from local artists paying homage to "A Pigeon's Luck".
There will also be a café with excellent coffee and great home-grown simple breakfast with light lunch options.
Coffee, cake and treats will be available all day. For example, speciality Belgian chocolate cake with a latte. Chef Nic Hudson, who was branded as "the daily grind" in the coffee industry, has teamed up with AHEM! to create something new and fresh.
Nic was referred to AHEM! by OBSID and Loaves & Fishes, where a number of talented artisans reside, who are interested to collaborate.
OBSID and Loaves & Fishes have been a great support to get AHEM! going and AHEM! aims to be a social business that encourages those who have been through recovery programs and need bridges back to integration into community.
The long term vision of AHEM! is to see Lower Main beat the same drum as international trends which are moving away from the boozy night life to community and creative spaces where people get together sharing ideas and finding company.
Lower Main could become the art centre of Cape Town!