End your November by immersing yourself in Joburg's art scene. Here's our top picks of what you should see this week.

For a full guide to what’s on in Joburg, check out our online events calendar and subscribe to our weekly What's on in Joburg newsletter published every Thursday morning. 

From left to right: Libertinia, 1995, Frank Stella, Lot 59 at Aspire Art; painting by Jonathan Freemantle for his exhibition Spirit Matter at Nirox; photographer Thomas Holder.

Auctions and awards

Opening Fri, Nov 25 – Aspire Art present a cornucopia of contemporarty South African art at their pre-auction exhibition.
Opening Mon, Nov 28 – See what the artists chosen for the MTN x UJ New Contemporary Awards have created at UJ Art Gallery.

Art, design and photographs

Opening Thu, Nov 24 at 19:00 – Mashumi Art Projects closes off the year with their Art & Design group exhibition.
Until Sat, Dec 3 – Thomas Holder's photographs from around the African continent are on show at Troyeville House.
Until Sat, Jan 21 – Goodman Gallery present A Different Now is Close Enough to Exhale on You, a group exhibition curated by writer Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung.

Talks and walkabouts

Sat, Nov 26 at 11:00 – Head to Studio Nxumalo for a conversation led by Lawrence Lemoaoana on Layziehound and Siphamandla Ex's exhibition Diaries of Injustice.
Sat, Nov 26 from 11:00 to 13:00 – Join artists Sally Whines and John Moore for a walkabout of the exhibition Earth Song at Artyli.
Thu, Dec 1 at 15:00 – Basha Uhuru will be hosting a walkabout of Vanessa Tembane and Zanele Montle's exhibition at Constitution Hill.

Open studio

Sun, Nov 27 from 10:00 to 16:00 – Meet the artists and learn about their processes at Bag Factory's Open Studio+ event.

Painted performances

Sat, Nov 26 at 16:00 – Head to NIROX to see Jonathan Freemantle's performance showing his meditative painting process for Spirit Matter.

Wondering what else to do this week? Read our guide to the best events.