Goodman Gallery

Representing artists who inspire social change

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

A Statement from Goodman Gallery 15.01.26

Goodman Gallery fundamentally supports the right to freedom of expression. We unequivocally defend and uphold the right of all working artists to express their views freely, including views on Gaza.

This commitment is evident throughout the history of Goodman Gallery and remains central to our ongoing programme. We are proud to platform artists who represent a broad range of faiths, cultures, and political perspectives.

In November, we made the difficult commercial decision to slim down our roster of artists from over 50 to 40, alongside reducing our participation in international art fairs and cutting operational costs related to insurance, shipping, and art storage. These were not last-minute decisions and had been made long before the South African Pavilion at the Venice Biennale selection. Although we learnt of Gabrielle’s selection before we notified her of this change, it did not alter the business decision made.

This 2025 operational restructuring, which included ending formal commercial relationships with eleven artists, forms part of a longer-term process to ensure the sustainability of Goodman Gallery and our ability to continue supporting South African artists. While we recognise that these decisions may be difficult for some to accept, we wish to be clear that they were taken solely for economic reasons, following the widely documented contraction of the international art market. They do not reflect any shift in our values or purpose, which remain steadfast and unchanged.

Our values are deeply rooted in the South African Constitution, which upholds artistic freedom while excluding incitement to violence and hate speech. We have always supported, and will continue to support, our artists in the free exploration of their ideas and practices.

One of the artists affected by the gallery’s restructuring was Gabrielle Goliath. Over more than a decade of collaboration, we actively championed her career, supporting the production and presentation of ambitious works including Elegy at the 2019 PinchukArtCentre Prize exhibition in Venice and Personal Accounts at the 2024 Venice Biennale.

This support extends to the current and ongoing presentation of Personal Accounts at MoMA PS1 in New York, which includes a new chapter addressing Gaza and remains on view, and this edition has been promoted on our social media platform. We support the right of Elegy to be exhibited widely and publically.

Ending a commercial relationship with an artist is not a reflection on the value, integrity, or significance of their work. While we are parting ways for the business reasons outlined above, we maintain full respect for Gabrielle Goliath and her practice, and we wish her every success going forward.

Finally, Goodman Gallery has not been directly involved with the South African Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale at any stage, nor have we been party to any related correspondence or decision-making processes. We also wish to emphasise that at no point have we had any contact with the Minister nor the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. We have seen no correspondence between any of the parties and are unable to comment on or speculate about this matter. We hope that a constructive resolution is reached between the parties involved.

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

@bridiemarykelly @RediTlhabi @RobynPorteous Goodman Gallery respects freedom of expression and platforms artists with a range of views. Please see our official statement here: https://t.co/APwP98qOnO

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

"Leonardo Drew’s explosive sculptures draw order from chaos" -Caroline Roux for @FinancialTimes
Leonardo Drew's major installation is on view now at
@ArtBasel Unlimited until 19 June
https://t.co/910Gjg2sYO

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

Sibyl, William Kentridge's two part chamber opera performed at @BarbicanCentre Article by @andydickson @nytimes https://t.co/iDNmYdrYCe

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

Currently on view at Goodman Gallery London, an exhibition of recent and site-specific work by Leonardo Drew, marking Drew’s first solo show in the UK since 2015 @artnet https://t.co/9KNI0fCH5D

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

💥Coming soon to Goodman Gallery Johannesburg, Walter Oltmann, ARMOUR & LACE: A Bestiary, 26 March- 30 April. Please join us for a walk through and Q&A between the artist, Walter Oltmann and curator Neil Dundas at 11 AM on Saturday 26 March.

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

📢Opening next week at #GoodmanGalleryLondon, a solo exhibition by Leonardo Drew. The exhibition will comprise of recent and site- specific work, marking his first solo exhibition in the UK since 2015. On view 16 March- 23 April

[sketch @sketchlondon]

Launching on the 3rd March, renowned artist Yinka Shonibare CBE RA & project architect India Mahdavi will transform the Gallery with a new installation of artworks and interiors. The artist-conceived vision will be presented with a new sunshine-yellow setting designed by Mahdavi.

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

Catastrophe, a solo exhibition by Dor Guez opens at the Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá @_mambogota on the 10 March - 28 August 2022. https://t.co/0xtcta1luW

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

"Don’t look down: water everywhere and nowhere" @ChrisThurmanZA on Yto Barrada's 'She Could Talk a Flood Tide Down" for @BusinessLiveSA, on view now at #GoodmanGalleryJoahnnesburg https://t.co/OllLr3Grxc

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

Investec Cape Town Art Fair (@ICTAF_) is now open! Visit us at Booth C3, Cape Town International Convention Centre, 18 - 20 February #GoodmanGallery #ICTAF #CapeTown

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

Goodman Gallery is delighted to announce that Kapwani Kiwanga has been invited to participate in the 59th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia curated by Cecilia Alemani. #BiennaleArte2022 #TheMilkOfDreams #IlLatteDeiSogni

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

📣Opening tomorrow at #GoodmanGalleryLondon, ‘A Healing Path for Phantom Pain’, Kiluanji Kia Henda’s (@KiluanjiK) first solo exhibition in the UK. 3 February - 5 March 2022

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

📢Opening tomorrow at #GoodmanGalleryLondon, Jeremy Wafer’s solo exhibition: Arc. 3 February - 5 March 2022. The exhibition coalesces new and existing works that reflect on boundaries, barriers and enclosures.

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

📣Opening this weekend at #GoodmanGalleryCapeTown, Disclose, a solo exhibition by Mateo Lopéz, marking his first on the continent. 5 February - 17 March, 2022.

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

📣Coming soon to Goodman Gallery Johannesburg, Yto Barrada's First Solo Exhibition with the gallery and in South Africa. ‘She Could Talk a Flood Tide Down’, 29 January - 17 March 2022 #YtoBarrada #GoodmanGalleryJohannesburg

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

Coming soon to #GoodmanGalleryLondon, Amilcar de Castro: a thought about space. This marks de Castro's first UK solo exhibition. Amilcar de Castro (1920 - 2002), is one most celebrated South American artists of the mid-20th-century. On view from the 2 February until 5 March.

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

Join us this Thursday 13 January at #GoodmanGalleryJohannesburg, 18h00, for an intimate conversation between Clive Van den Berg and fellow artist Matthew Krouse @Krousem . This marks the finale of Van den Bergs solo exhibition, 'Underscape'. Book here: https://t.co/IQFMGyEtgP

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

#GoodmanGalleryLondon is reopen showing Candice Breitz's 'Digest' a monumental multi-channel video installation of 1001 hand-painted VHS tapes. On view until 20 January. @worldofFAD #PaulCareyKent https://t.co/rTuc7GdvPz

[Goodman Gallery @Goodman_Gallery]

"The success of “Afterness” lay in the fact that the works didn’t try to compete with the environment but engaged with it, generating productive speculation on what it means to make art in a place like this". @paulmaheke @Artangel @artforum
https://t.co/xLdHr0yBMH