South Africa’s Usurpa Gallery has made waves as the country’s first physical NFT gallery, embracing the power and importance of digital art. Located in Riviera, Johannesburg, the gallery is currently hosting The New Medium group exhibition, featuring twelve talented South African artists. The exhibition offers art lovers and digital enthusiasts a unique experience.
The Usurpa Gallery’s current exhibition, The New Medium, beautifully merges the realms of technology and fine art. Showcasing the works of artists such as Seth Pimentel, Baba Tjeko, Naledi Modupi, and many others, the exhibition showcases the essence of digital art and its potential. By bridging the gap between traditional art forms and the digital realm, the gallery aims to redefine the concept of art and highlight how African artists can present their work to the world.
From Digital to Physical: Bringing Art into Real Spaces
At its core, an NFT is a digital certificate of ownership for a piece of art, just like owning a unique physical painting. The gallery has successfully taken digital art beyond computer and phone screens by presenting it in a physical space. Using Samsung Frame Technology, the gallery displays digital artworks that connect artists and art enthusiasts in the new medium.
Usurpa Gallery aims to revolutionize interior design and decor by introducing digital art into homes, offices, and commercial spaces. The screens used by the gallery offer art lovers the opportunity to adorn their walls with digital artworks. The New Medium exhibition features dynamic artworks adapted from both physical and static digital forms. By integrating digital art into the world of interior design, Usurpa Gallery opens up new possibilities for artistic expression.
Empowering African Artists Through Digital Art
“Imagine you have a stunning image of a lake on your wall and, just once a year, a sea creature makes an appearance in the lake, there are now so many more layers of the artist’s narrative that can be explored”- says Usurpa CEO Steve Tanchel.
Usurpa’s goal is to empower established and up-and-coming African artists through a decentralised platform that empowers promising African artists through digital art. With a team that includes co-founders Adam Trope and Kay Kay Ribane, as well as CFO Michael Salomon, creative director Zelé Angelides, and software engineer Devon Jacobson, Usurpa Gallery is committed to bringing fine art to the digital space. By embracing digital art as a modern form of investment, the gallery strives to uplift African artists and provide them with a platform to showcase their talents.
Running until June 1, 2023, the gallery welcomes visitors from Tuesday to Friday, between 10:00 and 17:00. 70B Oxford Road, Riviera, Johannesburg.
