Kalashnikovv Gallery Opens Doors To Cape Town’s Creative Community

The Cape Town art scene has welcomed a new addition with the opening of Kalashnikovv Gallery on Loop Street. Originally from Johannesburg, Kalashnikovv has been a key player in the city’s art world for the past ten years, supporting emerging artists.

Now, as it expands to Cape Town, it brings with it a reputation for pushing boundaries and encouraging social and political discussions through art.

Managed and curated by M.J Turpin and Matthew Dean Dowdle, Kalashnikovv Gallery is known for representing a diverse group of artists, from new talents to well-known figures.

The gallery is especially praised for its focus on helping emerging artists, introducing what Petra Mason of The Sunday Times calls the ‘bad boys’ of the art world.

One success story is Boemo Diale, whose journey reflects Kalashnikovv’s commitment to supporting underrepresented artists. With the gallery’s support, Boemo recently won the Tomorrow’s/Today Prize at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, establishing herself as a rising star in the contemporary art scene.

Her work is featured in the gallery’s first group exhibition, “Refuse the Given World,” currently on display in Cape Town.

Choosing to expand to Cape Town was a strategic move for Kalashnikovv, aiming to engage with the city’s art scene and connect with local talents. According to Turpin, the gallery wants to bring an edge and dynamism that resonates to the Johannesburg-based gallery to Cape Town.