If Andy Warhol was alive today he might have been persuaded to swap The Factory for the Living Artists Emporium, a “PLATFLERY" - PLATForm + galLERY (founders Eric Botha and Conrad Bo’s description of a combo platform and gallery for artists) in the Ellis Park Precinct. In a world of conformity and over-seriousness the Living Artists Emporium with its humorous and avant-garde approach to art is a refreshing antidote.

“Send us the rules of art and we will break them” is LAE’s manifesto. Its Ellis Park headquarters (it’s first location was a meat storage warehouse) is located in the clubhouse of the once-grand tennis club that played host to visiting champions the likes of Jimmy Connors and Billie Jean King.

Today there’s very little chalk dust, instead you’ll find violent brushstrokes, art hanging sideways and lots of vivid colour filling the work space. LAE focuses on supporting emerging artists, by providing space and materials to create their art, and a gallery to display and sell the works. Artworks sell from R 5000 to R 50 000.