Located in the oldest public park in Johannesburg, the Johannesburg Art Gallery and Sculpture Park has seen visitors pass through its doors for over a century. JAG, as it’s affectionately known by Johannesburg residents, is the city’s premier art gallery and is housed in a beautiful 1915-built sandstone building. The building recently underwent extensive renovations and has the largest collection of modern and historic art in Africa.
Most artwork on display is South African, however, there is a small collection of major works by renowned European masters such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, as well as classics from American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. Important South African works on display are those by Gerard Sekoto, Pierneef and Walter Battiss, to name a few.
Tours of the 15 exhibition halls and outdoor sculpture park are available and must be booked in advance. The tours are conducted by trained volunteer guides who are happy to accompany large and small groups.
The gallery is both an archive repository and research library, open to all lovers (and students) of the arts but access is by appointment only.
There is a restaurant and adjoining shop on the premises to enjoy light snacks and purchase small works of art.
The gallery has collected huge volumes of art over the years and items on display are frequently rotated. Opening times are 10h00 to 17h00 Tuesdays to Sundays. Certain areas around Joubert Park are heavily crowded with informal traders and we suggest that you drive to the venue for your own safety. There is ample parking available to visitors of the gallery.
Joubert Park hosts the annual Joubert Park Public Art Project of which the Johannesburg Art Gallery and Sculpture Park is a major contributor in bringing art to the people and in creating awareness.
