Founded in 2010, StateoftheART was built from a simple belief: that discovering and collecting contemporary South African art should feel personal, inspiring and accessible — not reserved for a small circle of insiders.
Long before buying art online became commonplace, StateoftheART recognised the power of digital space to connect artists directly with collectors, regardless of geography. What began as an independent South African online gallery has grown into one of the country’s most respected digital platforms for contemporary art, trusted by collectors both locally and internationally.
From the beginning, the focus has never been on quantity. Instead, StateoftheART has remained intentionally selective — representing artists whose work carries emotional weight, technical strength and a distinct point of view. The gallery’s roster spans a wide range of contemporary practices, from hyperreal graphite drawings and expressive figurative painting to ceramics, sculpture, printmaking and mixed media works that speak to the complexity and beauty of contemporary South African life.
What sets StateoftheART apart is its human approach to online collecting. Behind the platform is a genuine commitment to creating meaningful relationships between artists and collectors. Every artwork is carefully considered, every portfolio thoughtfully curated, and every sale handled with the understanding that buying art is rarely just a transaction — it is often emotional, instinctive and deeply personal.
The gallery has become particularly known for identifying and supporting artists at pivotal moments in their careers, helping to introduce emerging voices to new audiences while continuing to champion established South African talent. For many collectors, StateoftheART has become a trusted place to discover works that feel both culturally relevant and personally resonant. Importantly, the majority of proceeds from each sale go directly back to the artists themselves, supporting sustainable independent creative practice in South Africa.
In an increasingly fast and disposable digital world, StateoftheART remains committed to slowing the process down — encouraging collectors to live with art that holds meaning, tells stories and continues to reveal itself over time.
Founded in 2018; the
StateoftheART Gallery Award is a not-for-profit initiative to promote artists who have yet to establish a profile on the contemporary South African art scene, and offers collectors the opportunity to invest in the artists of the future. We help artists grow their careers.
We can assist with the delivery of your artwork purchase to your door both locally and abroad, using the services of reputable logistics suppliers who specialise in the transportation of artworks.
Our 7-day money-back guarantee allows you to buy art sight-unseen with confidence. If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, return it and we’ll help you find a work you love.
We appreciate that art is very individual and will gladly help with sourcing your perfect piece of art from our roster of talented artists. It is our goal to provide you with a personalized service: when you’re searching for a work of art to suit a certain space, style, genre, scale or budget - we’re available, online or at our Cape Town gallery to assist you.
STORYTELLING & EXPERIENCESTo provide you with more knowledge and information about art, our represented artists and the local art market,
Pulse (our blog) regularly publishes a range of articles including artist studio visits, artist features and films, as well as useful information for collectors.
Gallery owner and founder of StateoftheART.
Owner Jennifer has spent a lifetime in love with art and is passionate about helping others discover a love for it too. Before founding the gallery, Jennifer's career spanned the financial markets and technology sectors, which included 18 years with news and information vendor Reuters in both South Africa and Europe. Ready for a new challenge outside of the financial markets, she based herself in Cape Town, launching StateoftheART online in 2010. Jennifer has built up personal relationships with some of the most exciting artists working in South Africa today.
StateoftheART Gallery Manager
Amy Rinquest-Barnes loves a curated aesthetic. With a BA and Honours degree in Film and Media Production and documentary film from UCT, she is enamoured with the power of the visual language. With a professional background working (and thriving) in the chaos of film and TV sets, she is an expert in creative problem solving and thinking on her feet. Her time spent in the Art Department, often working as a Props Master, combined her love of carefully crafting visuals with the analytical and logistical skills of working to a tight shooting schedule and managing a team of people.
Having started at the gallery as a part-time art handler, she quickly found a new space to use her creative skills. A life-long lover of art and having studied Art History courses at UCT, her unique experience and sharp eye for aesthetics has seen her fall in love with working in the gallery space. Sometimes when she's alone in the gallery, she talks to the paintings and on good days, when they're happy with where she's hung them, they deign to talk back. (Alternative: Her love of art and curation is clear, in fact on quiet days we have caught her talking to the paintings.)
When she's not working at the gallery she can be found searching for vintage treasures in dusty charity shops, collecting shells and pretty rocks on the beach and writing bad poetry in the park.
