Gallery Mau Mau
| Company type | Art gallery |
|---|---|
| Industry | Visual arts |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Defunct | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Cape Town , South Africa |
Key people | David Robert Lewis, Adam Lieber, Nick Birkby, Chris Slack |
| Products | Art exhibitions, multimedia presentations |
Gallery Mau Mau (1996–1998) was a brief but influential counter-culture art venue situated in Cape Town, South Africa. This avant-garde space provided affordable artistic opportunities to creators across racial lines, pushing cultural boundaries during a pivotal phase of expansion in the city's visual arts scene. The gallery was overseen by cultural activist David Robert Lewis, multimedia artist Adam Lieber, musician and DJ Nick Birkby, alongside fine artist Chris Slack.
The gallery played a crucial role in launching the careers of prominent South African talents including Mustafa Maluka, Donovon Ward, and Julia Clark. Other notable contributors featured Barend de Wet, Beezy Bailey, and Norman Catherine.
Participants
Artists showcased at the venue encompassed Beezy Bailey, Dana Barak, Natalie Berry, Robert Berold, Samten de Wet, Conrad Botes, Lien Botha, Jesse Breytenbach, Norman Catherine, Michelle Chipps, Gabrial Clark-Browne, Julia Clarke, Connor Cullinan, Barend De Wet, Michael Dewill, Garth Erasmus, Everon, Gus Ferguson, Falko, Eugene Fisher, Graeme Germond, Bruce Granville-Mathews, Le Due Hai, Allan Horwitz, Ashraf Jamal, Botsotso Jesters, Jacki Job, David Robert Lewis; Adam Lieber, Lynne Lomofsky, Mustafa Maluka, Kholelo Masala, Veronique Malherbe, Till Mayer, Petra Mason, Joshua Miles, Anthony Milne, Mother City Queer Project, Gregg Murray, Khulile Nxumalo, Mxolisi Nyezwa, Jeannie O’Carroll, Norman O'Flynn, Craig Parker, Natalie Payne, Peet Pienaar, Karen Press, Benning Puren, Andrew Putter, RealRozzano, Geli Schubert, Siphiwe Tirivanhu, Sky One, Chris Slack, Le Ngoc Thanh, Tom Schwarer, Anna Varney, Donovan Ward, and Philip Zhuwao.
Press comments
"Discovering the entrance marked by a weathered sign leads you into Mau Mau’s underground art collective operated by five resident artists." Cosmopolitan
"This inventive experimental hub presents unconventional cine-art gatherings alongside distinctive exhibitions." Cosmopolitan
"Emerging art innovators maintain a gathering place for societal outsiders where art simply adorns the walls." SL Magazine
"Gallery Mau Mau frequently holds brief exhibitions with lively openings open to everyone. It is an energetic environment merging art with entertainment." SL Magazine
"Positioned on the margins of Cape Town's established art scene is the Mau Mau Gallery." Inside SA
"A dynamic venue showcasing multimedia presentations ranging from film excerpts to performance pieces. DJs provide music during openings accompanied occasionally by beat poetry. Complimentary cream soda is offered at the bar." Inside SA
"Anticipate sharp wit and bursts of brilliance as emerging artists confront traditional art institutions." Inside SA
"The Mau Mau Gallery belongs to every artist. Situated beneath the Lounge on Long Street in Cape Town and managed by David Robert Lewis, who prefers the title janitor over curator. Exhibition space is limited; however any work convincingly defended as art is displayed. True to its rebellious name—Mau Mau embodies defiance. In contrast to conventional galleries known for sterile presentations and high prices—Mau Mau features affordable underground art at street level. Established dealers now frequent it to view contemporary cutting-edge creations." Petra Mason
Sources
- Poetry as art or art as poetry? Exhibition featuring poetry manuscripts, Benita Munitz, Cape Times
- Exhibit radiates African energy – Vital Functions – Benita Munitz, Cape Times
- Notty Spaces, Herman Wittenberg, M&G April 24–30, 1998
- Nailed to the Kras, Chris Roper, M&G January 30–February 5, 1998
- Powerful material through sharp contrasts, Benita Munitz, Cape Times
- Of Freaks and Pervs, Dennis Mair, M&G
- Mau Mau presents a buffet of campy horror films, Ian McDonald, Argus Tonight, 1997
- B-Grade Movie mini-festival, staff writer, Cape Times
- Lesson One: Manipulate the Mainstream, Dennis Mair, M&G, November 22–28, 1996
- Photocopy art exhibition, Gary van Dyk, Argus Tonight
- Pillaging the Spoken Word, Tracy Murinik, M&G July 10–16, 199?
- Photo experiment at gallery, Leonard Shapiro, Cape Times, July 22, 1998