Koena Art Institute, the home of indigenous art in Cape Town

Khoisan art, film screenings, life drawing classes and more

Last updated: Tuesday, 20 August 2024

The Castle of Good Hope is a richly complex historical site; it’s fitting that the gallery hidden inside it is also a space where heritage is preserved and contested. Koena Art Institute honours Khoe and San history through performances, film screenings, dance and language classes, and more. See where to find it (and good news, it’s free to enter when you visit the Castle).

PRESERVES & EDUCATES ABOUT KHOISAN HERITAGE 

Lukretia Booysen made history when she produced South Africa’s first indigenous fragrance line, “The Lukretia /Nami (love) !Gai Ham Xun”. The self-taught curator and creative entrepreneur, who is of Khoisan descent, has continued to educate and highlight Khoe and San heritage through Koena Art Institute. 

Since its opening, Koena has grown to two spaces – Seven Sisters Vineyards and the Castle of Good Hope – and collaborated with Iziko Museums for the exhibition “The Evolution of Indigenous Art”. Curated by Booysen and Annelize Kotze, it showcased contemporary indigenous art alongside Khoe and San rock art from the later Stone Age. 

Koena has even hosted internationally-renowned poet and activist Dr Diana Ferrus, who performed her most-loved poems and shared their origins and inspiration. 


At Koena Art Institute, community is at the forefront of its indigenous preservation Image: Koena Art Institute

SCULPTURES, PORTRAITURE & MORE 

Koena’s golden walls reflect the sunlight shining through the old windows, spotlighting the varied artworks. There is a certain welcoming magic to the gallery, which speaks to a rich tapestry of indigenous culture, history, heritage, and oral traditions. And the subject matter of the art varies greatly.  

Stanley Grootboom, born in a small village in the Eastern Cape, specialises in oils, watercolours, acrylics and mixed media work that honours the lives of everyday people.  

In contrast, Dieuwke-Jean Linee’s portraiture and paintings focus on realism, postcolonialism, and the role indigenous women had in the development of South Africa. 

Indigenous artists create the art displayed at Koena Art Institute, amplifying voices often found in the margins. Image: Koena Art Institute

PAN-AFRICAN COLLECTION OF WORKS 

And the featured artists aren’t just from South Africa, but are a pan-African array of talent. 

The work of Marlene Liebenberg, a self-taught sculptor from Tsitsikama, is on full display as she uses organic resin and paper mache to honour Khoisan people through portrait sculptures. 

Or Mambakwedza Mutasa from Zimbabwe, a sculptor whose work reflects on universal human spirituality and the political state of the African continent. 


One of the many sculptures honouring indigenous peoples found at the Koena Art Institute. Image: Koena Art Institute

ART & DANCE CLASSES, FILM SCREENINGS TOO

Koena also hosts events where learning is lively and tactile. There’s culture exchange programs and music and language classes that are all rooted in indigenous knowledge systems and practices.

You can join a life drawing class or attend an UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples) lecture for free to broaden your knowledge on indigenous rights. In the past they’ve also hosted film festivals, poetry readings, dance classes and more.

Check out their Instagram page for upcoming events.


The practice of teaching and learning is vital to the continued building of community, and uplifting of indigenous voices. Image: Koena Art institute

HOW TO FIND KOENA ART INSTITUTE 

When you enter the Castle, turn left at the main building. You will find yourself walking underneath an archway, the cobblestones guiding your way, and right at the end of the alley is Koena. 

The gallery is free to enter; you just need to pay the entrance fee into the Castle. It’s R50 for adults and R25 for students with a valid student card. You’ll also have access to all that the Castle has to offer.

VISIT KOENA ART INSTITUTE

Koena Art Institute is open: Monday to Saturday, 10am - 3pm
Find it: Corner of Castle and Darling St, Cape Town
Cost: R50 for adults; R25 for students with a valid student card
Contact on: 076 735 7812 | info@koenaartinstitute.co.za
See more: Via the Koena Art Institute website

By Tayla Simpson

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EXPERIENCE MORE ART & CULTURE 

There’s a wealth of art, history, culture and at Iziko Museums.

See our guide to wine bars in Cape Town.

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