Aardklop
Momentum Aardklop - A Peek Inside the Bag
For 35 years, the Bag Factory has operated out of a humble building in Newtown, serving as a hub for collaboration, co-learning, and experimentation. Its reach extends far beyond Johannesburg, connecting artists, curators, and writers across generations and disciplines. The space acts as an incubator for careers that continue to shape the broader South African cultural landscape.
At Momentum Aardklop 2026, current studio artists and recent residency recipients present What’s in the Bag?, a showcase offering a cross-section of techniques, mediums, and ideas currently emerging from the space.
Fresh from the Studio Floor
The exhibition acts as a straightforward pouring out of works that are on hand and ready to show, reflecting recent daily activity in the Newtown studios. Visitors can expect to see the physical evidence of regular studio practice: paper-based drawings and prints, oil and acrylic on canvas, and works rendered in rust on steel.
The lineup features a mix of established figures and emerging talents, including:
- Featured Artists: Gail Behrmann, Erla Haraldsdóttir, LL Editions, Kagiso Pat Mautloa, Richard Specs Ndimande, Levy Pooe, and Joe Turpin.
- Award Recipients: Swaline Mkhonto and Zovuyo Pendu (Young Womxn Studio Bursary 2025/2026); Mosa Anita Kaiser and Leonardo Sitoe (Young/Unframed 2026); and Smiso Cele (Cassirer Welz Award 2025).
The collection highlights the thread of peer learning and intergenerational exchange that continues to define the Bag Factory's ongoing output.
Exhibition Details
- Venue: NWU Gallery, Ground Floor (Sections 1 & 2)
- Dates: 29 September – 3 October 2026
- Times: 09:00 – 17:00
- Guided Tours: 29 September – 1 October at 11:30; 2 October at 11:30 (walk-through with the artists)
- Category: Visual Arts (PG)
- Entry: Free