V&A Waterfront Artist Alliance Virtual Gallery Partnership

My Journey as Curator for Digital Art Spaces

As part of a strategic partnership with Creative Nestlings Foundation, I joined the V&A Waterfront Artist Alliance as curator, bringing my expertise to establish and develop their innovative virtual gallery platform. This collaboration has been incredibly rewarding, successfully demonstrating that digital exhibitions can create meaningful commercial opportunities for artists while reaching new audiences.

"A Feminine Gaze: Women's Perspective in Contemporary Art"

October - November 2024

My Inaugural Virtual Exhibition

This groundbreaking exhibition marked not only the launch of the V&A Waterfront Artist Alliance Virtual Gallery but also my entry into digital curation. I curated this show to showcase the powerful voices of ten women artists—including myself—exploring themes of identity, gender, race, and class through deeply personal narratives.

Artists I featured: Mbhali Manzini, Micke Buitendag, Naledi Modupi, Parusha Naidoo, myself, Larissa Mnyamana, Leanne Van, Puleng Mongale, Lungiswa Joe, and Amogelang Monjane.

My Curatorial Vision: I wanted this exhibition to delve into themes of identity, gender, sexuality, race, class, power, and the deeply personal narratives and emotions of the artists. My goal was to create a platform where women could share their experiences and inspire others.

"Hues of Happiness"

February - May 2025

My Current Exhibition

Building on the success of my inaugural show, I curated this vibrant celebration that explores colour as a powerful force of culture, identity, and healing in South Africa. Through this exhibition, I wanted to demonstrate how South African artists use colour as more than aesthetics—it becomes our language of joy, memory, and storytelling.

Artists I Selected: Lesego Seokatsa, Jason Langa, Pamela Mavuso, Sagwadi Mohlabi, and Mbali Nqobile Mdikane.

My Curatorial Statement: "From the ochre tones of the Karoo to the bold patterns of traditional beadwork, each piece reflects the vibrancy of South African life and the resilience of our people. In a world that often feels muted, Hues of Happiness reminds us that colour is hope, beauty, and a reflection of our shared spirit."

Digital Exhibition Success

I'm thrilled that both exhibitions achieved significant commercial success, with artworks actually sold directly through the virtual platform—a notable achievement that exceeded my expectations for digital art sales. This success validates my innovative approach of combining high-quality curation with accessible online platforms, creating new revenue streams for South African artists while expanding their market reach.

What I've Achieved Through This Partnership:

• Established V&A Waterfront's first virtual gallery space

• Created a sustainable sales platform for emerging and established artists

• Demonstrated the viability of digital art commerce in South Africa

• Expanded international visibility for local talent through Waterfront's global audience

My Curatorial Approach

My role as curator extends beyond traditional exhibition development. I focus on:

• Strategic curation that balances artistic excellence with commercial viability

• Artist development through mentorship and platform creation

• Market expansion by connecting South African artists with new collector bases

• Cultural preservation through contemporary artistic expression

This partnership with Creative Nestlings and V&A Waterfront represents what I believe is a pioneering model for digital art curation in South Africa. I'm proud to have proven that virtual exhibitions can successfully bridge cultural significance with commercial sustainability.

The success of these exhibitions has established me as a leading voice in digital curation, and I'm excited to continue demonstrating how we can create commercially viable platforms while maintaining artistic integrity and cultural relevance.