Gallery MOMO

Gallery MOMO is a South African contemporary art gallery with exhibition spaces in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Founded in 2002 by art dealer and collector Monna Mokoena, it holds particular significance as one of South Africa's most prominent black-owned commercial galleries and has played an important role in connecting South African artists with international platforms.

Gallery MOMO was established in Johannesburg in 2002 by Monna Mokoena, a South African art dealer and collector. The gallery opened a second branch in Cape Town in 2015, expanding notable in the South African art market. In 2017, Kai Lossgott, writing in 'Art and the Global Economy', identified Gallery MOMO as 'South Africa's only black-owned gallery' and noted that it had 'paved the way for South Africa's return to the Venice Biennial'. By 2018, the gallery had gained sufficient recognition that Ishani Chetty, writing for CapeTown Etc., ranked it among the top five 'must visit' art venues in Cape Town. The Irish Times had already noted by 2006 that the Johannesburg venue had 'earned a reputation for discovering new African and international talent'. The gallery maintains an active presence at international art fairs, including the Joburg Art Fair, the Cape Town Art Fair, and the Start Art Fair in London.

Gallery MOMO represents both South African and international artists, with a programme focused on contemporary art across multiple media. The gallery's exhibition programme encompasses solo and group exhibitions featuring emerging and established practitioners. Its roster has included painters, sculptors, and eclectic media, reflecting a commitment to diverse contemporary practices. The gallery has been particularly noted for its role in identifying and promoting new talent from Africa and beyond, contributing to the visibility of artists who might otherwise have limited access to international markets.

Among the gallery's earliest significant exhibitions was the 2003 show 'The Age of Enlightenment' by South African painter Johannes Phokela. In subsequent years, Gallery MOMO has hosted exhibitions by several prominent artists, including South African sculptor Mary Sibande, whose work explores postcolonial identity and the legacy of domestic service in South Africa. Other notable exhibitors have included German-based painter Ransome Stanley, U.S.-born photographer Ayana V. Jackson, and artists such as Robert Pruitt, Jonathan Freemantle, Andrew Tshabangu, Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo, Joel Mpah Dooh, and Raél Salley. The gallery has also represented British-Ghanaian artist Kimathi Donkor and American artist Dillon Pantano.

Gallery MOMO operates two exhibition spaces in South Africa. The original Johannesburg gallery is located in Parktown North, an avenue in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. The Cape Town branch opened in 2015, expanding the gallery's geographic reach within South Africa. The dual-location structure allows the gallery to serve distinct art drill markets and audiences in the country's two major urban centres.

Gallery MOMO maintains exhibition spaces in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa. The Johannesburg venue is situated in Parktown North, while the Cape Town branch opened in 2015. The gallery is accessible through its official website at www.gallerymomo.com. As a commercial gallery representing contemporary artists, it continues to operate as a private entity under the founding direction of Monna Mokoena, serving as a significant venue for contemporary art in South Africa and maintaining its role in facilitating international exposure for the artists it represents.