A new local family-owned art gallery seeks to make art accessible by creating an inviting space for the people who want to view the art.
This was according to Elri Voigt, the cofounder and manager of Anomaly Index art gallery that opened in Somerset West, on 12 October. Elri, who is also a Stellenbosch University (SU) alumni and freelance journalist, opened the gallery with her mother, local artist Anél Voigt.
“I would like to create an opportunity for upcoming artists to market their work in a friendly, unintimidating way,” said Anél.
What makes Anomaly Index unique is their dual premises, Elri said. The gallery is run both online and in their home, she said.
“It’s just easier to manage the logistics of running this gallery from a home where people need to function normally and to make sure we keep to the Covid-19 regulations,” Elri said.
The idea to start an online gallery came from both Anél and Elri. With Anél’s artistic background and Elri’s prior planning for a similar business, the pandemic pushed the gallery into fruition, they said.
“I actually pitched a business idea of creating content for artists and art galleries during my honours year’s media entrepreneurship course [in journalism]. So, this is something that I was prepared to do and had been keen to do as well — before Covid-19 happened at least,” Elri said.
The Voigts hope to showcase a range of artwork, attracting both diverse artists and buyers, Anél said.
“I hope to sell a lot of art. Being an artist myself, I know some of the difficulties artists have in selling their work. It can be very intimidating. People’s tastes are so diverse and not everyone is going to like your work,” Anél said.
One Anomaly Index artist, Bets van Zyl, said that the gallery offers something very different to other galleries, and suits the time we are in whilst making the experience of art more personal.
According to the artist, who has a benign brain tumour, art helps her cope with some of the pain caused by her tumor.
“[The tumor] causes extreme headaches. My sister insisted I take art classes when I was 70. To my surprise, I discovered that I had a talent. It takes my mind off the pain and relieves it. I am absorbed in creating something I am excited about,” Van Zyl said.
