223 Creative Hub opened with the goal of being a hub for creatives, bringing both the community as well as the processes of making and selling work closer together (read our full visitor's guide here). A central component of this is The Creatory. Described as an ‘ArtLab’, The Creatory primarily offers working space to an artist-in-residence. This is non-transactional, with the only requirement being that the studio space is open to the public for the duration of the artist's stay.
"Joburg can be a harsh city for emerging artists. The Creatory allays this by adding to a small but growing network of studios focused on developing up-and-coming artists."
When empty, The Creatory is unassuming with nothing but dappled sunlight covering the three white walls. This all changes when one of their artists-in-residence takes over the space. The room transforms into a hum of colour, objects, and activity. Depending on the artist’s practice, you might find graffiti cans scattering the table, paper cut-outs adorning the wall, to balls of yarn and large-scale oils. As a visitor, a large part of the delight of The Creatory is that you never know what you are going to find when you enter the space.
ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE
Since then, the space has been opened up to artists who are not on the gallery's books. Claire Lichtenstein splattered the walls as she went to creating her large-scale abstracts, and Daneel Thumbiran brought pops of colour as he explored his Hindu and South African heritage. After a fresh layer of paint on the studio walls, Stacey Rozen went about filling the space with her quirky yarn creations while Sheriffah Arewa hung her fibre-based works on the walls, and Emma Marshall brought the intersection of the digital and physical with her offbeat narratives.
PROCESS MADE PUBLIC
While The Creatory acts as a separate entity to the more formal gallery spaces at 223 in Berman Contemporary and Candice Berman Gallery, it is not to say that each of them acts in a void. Both Berman Contemporary and Candice Berman Gallery have shown a consistent commitment to fostering the contemporary art scene in Johannesburg, and South Africa more broadly, finding and supporting a growing body of some of the most eclectic artists in Joburg. This commitment extends over to The Creatory, with the artists benefiting from the expertise and networks of the gallerists.
For the range of artists The Creatory has hosted, it is first and foremost a physical space for work, one where they are given the freedom to use it as they see fit. As studio space is expensive and hard to come by, Joburg can be a harsh city for emerging artists. The Creatory allays this by adding to a small but growing network of galleries and studios focused on developing up-and-coming artists. In addition, it is also a way for artists starting out to foster new connections and to increase their reach and market. Many of the artists who have been there are used to working in isolation. What sets The Creatory apart from many other studios is that it is open to the public. While initially it can be tricky, the artists say it leads to reflecting on their work in new ways because of the constant engagement with the public.
Expanding the walls of the gallery
"The Creatory breaks down the borders between the final artwork and the process that brings it to life."
Some artists have held yarn workshops while others have adapted their practices to allow for spontaneous additions from those visiting. Delara Crouse, the manager at The Creatory, tells us that seeing how these will spontaneously evolve has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the space. It means that, as a visitor, the range of ways to interact with both the art and the artist extends beyond the exhibition text and works on display.
In this way, we’ve been impressed with how The Creatory breaks down the borders between the final artwork and the process that brings it to life. We all know the feeling of gazing at a large abstract painting and wondering what inspired the artist to make it, or seeing a beautifully intricate clay vessel and being stumped as to how this emerged from a brown lump. With The Creatory, you get to actively connect with the artist and their works, and this often brings a new sense of appreciation for the effort and talent behind a piece that moves you.
Visiting The Creatory at 223 Creative Hub
In addition, The Creatory hosts a range of different events within 223 Creative Hub, which extend beyond the visual arts, from fashion shows to workshops.
We recommend popping in to visit, even if there is no specific event or exhibition on show, so you can witness the artist's daily practice and chat to them about their art. If they are out when you arrive, their works in progress are still available for viewing.
CALL FOR COLLABORATIONS
For those who are looking to host an event with The Creatory or be their next artist-in-residence, you can contact Delara Crouse at marketing@candiceberman.co.za to be a part of the exciting developments at 223 Creative Hub.
Artist-in-residence until Sat, Jun 21, 2025: Megan Shapiro
Get lost in the intersections of the conscious and unconscious with Megan Shapiro, The Creatory's current artist-in-residence. Shapiro brings several completed works along with her tools to make the space part studio, part exhibition, and her 3D pen series is truly one-of-a-kind. Head there to see the works for yourself, and get to add your mark by trying out one of her pens.
During her time at The Creatory, guests are invited to join Shapiro and become part of her artistic journey. Visit her at The Creatory until Sat, Jun 21. Follow @m.shap.art for more.
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