Johannesburg

What to expect at Keyes Art Night at Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank

05 Aug 2025
On Thu, Aug 7 from 17:00, Keyes Art Mile is where you need to be for the vibrant Keyes Art Night, a monthly offering of art, music and food.

For the August edition of Keyes Art Night, revel in the work of South Africa's modernist masters with Looking Back, Seeing Now at the newly renovated and gorgeous Gallery 1. From there you'll want to head to Gallery 2 for The Dream & The Dreamer, a tribute exhibition by the talent agency Aline, which represents the legendary composer and musician, Lebo M. Then in the Atrium, Mark Antony Modimola explores relations to nature in Communion, plus, you'll be able to grab some art supplies and get creative as the popular Make Station is back!

As always, Keyes delivers when it comes to food and drinks with a variety of restaurants offering delicious meals, such as The Prawnery, Momo Kuro, Kanpai, Marble, and BGR, as well as Pantry for yummy soft serve. When all is seen and done, round the night off with at Mix Cocktail Bar – they've curated an all-women lineup with some of Joburg's hottest DJs to get you in the groove for Women's Month.

Keep reading for all the details.

South African modernist masters dazzle in Gallery 1

Maud Sumner's work forms part of the incredible Looking Back, Seeing Now in Gallery 1. Photo: Keyes Art Mile.

The newly renovated Gallery 1 space at Keyes Art Miles re-launches in style with Looking Back, Seeing Now – an exhibition of over 20 South African modernist masters. The lineup is spectacular, featuring work by the likes of Edoardo Villa, Gerard Sekoto, Walter Battiss, Irma Stern, JH Pierneef, and more. "Together, their works trace a vibrant, often defiant arc across the 20th century – through realism and abstraction, exile and resistance, sacred form and radical play," reads the exhibition text. Whether it's your first time seeing the exhibition or you're there for a return visit, there's plenty to soak in.

A drop-in creative space

Flex your creative chops at the next edition of Keyes Art Night. Photo: Supplied. 

Back by popular demand, the Make Station returns to Keyes Art Night. This open, drop-in creative space in the Atrium invites visitors to create artworks in response to what they see and experience on the night. Open from 18:00 – 21:00, everyone is welcome to take a seat and see where the creative urge takes them – no bookings required. An array of materials will be provided. 

Join Aline in paying tribute to Lebo M at Gallery 2 

Lebo M at the opening of his tribute exhibition. Photo: Keyes Art Mile.

Lebohang Morake, better known as Lebo M, captured the world with his work on the soundtrack for The Lion King, earning himself a Grammy in the process. He has continued to represent South Africa in Hollywood since. In celebration of his 61st birthday, the talent agency Aline which represents him, has curated an inspiring exhibition looking back at the moments of struggle and triumph that brought him here, as well as a preview of what's to come. Aptly titled The Dream & the Dreamer, the exhibition features large-format photographs from LeboM 's career and life, and it presents an intimate portrait of the man behind the name.
 

Reflect on nature with Mark Antony Modimola in the Atrium

The walls of the Atrium fill up with new work by Mark Antony Modimola. In Communion, the artist explores the deep yet disrupted bond between African men and nature through his spiritual mixed-media works. 

Pause for a drink and a meal

Tuck into something scrumptious between art stops. Photo: Kanpai.

While art is front and centre at Keyes Art Night, you certainly won't be leaving hungry, given all that Keyes has to offer on the dining front. Enjoy beautifully crafted sushi at the Japanese-fusion restaurant Kanpai or giant tiger prawns on the hibachi grill at The Prawnery. Book via Dineplan. Freshly Ground is great for a casual bite  a favourite is the creamy chicken tikka masala pasta. Add appetizing Asian street food to the lineup at Momo Kuro on the top floor of the Trumpet building, or try the ramen at Momo's street-level store. Burger and fries? Keep it easy at BGR. Unwind with sunset drinks at Marble (also in the swanky Trumpet building), and if soft serve is your thing, head down the parking lot stairs to Pantry. At just eighteen bucks a pop, you'll be glad we told you.

Get into the groove at MIX Cocktail Bar

NT Social forms part of an electrifying line-up at MIX Cocktail Bar. Photo: MIX Cocktail Bar.

There's no need to change locations once the galleries start to close. Head upstairs to MIX Cocktail Bar at MESH Club for something to sip on while you jam to live DJs. With Women's Day on Sat, Aug 9 around the corner, they've got an all-women lineup you don't want to miss with Shang Hunnii, Love Thando, NT Social, and Zlotus DJ providing the vibes. 

Still in the mood for art? These are all the exhibitions you need to see in Joburg this week.

 

Momo Kuro

Trumpet (top floor), Keyes Art Mile, 21 Keyes Ave, Rosebank

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