Southern guild plants a tribeca flag after la pivot
After a brief but instructive chapter in Los Angeles, Southern Guild, the Cape Town gallery known for its boundary-pushing artistry and meticulous production, is staking a claim in the heart of Tribeca. The gallery, co-founded by Trevyn and Julian McGowan, has opened a 4,000-square-foot space at 75 Leonard Street, a restored cast-iron building boasting soaring 17-foot pressed tin ceilings—a far cry from the Larchmont neighborhood where their previous American venture resided.
A valuable learning curve in los angeles
The LA experiment, running from early 2024 until late last year, wasn’t a failure, but it was a crucial testing ground. The McGowans used the time to meticulously gauge American collector preferences and refine their gallery model, experimenting with everything from bespoke dinners to live performances. “LA was experimental,” Trevyn McGowan admits, “but it gave us invaluable insights. Now, we’re much more experienced within the American market.” The move to New York feels, as Julian puts it, “permanent.”
More than a gallery: an artistic ecosystem
Southern Guild isn’t just a gallery in the traditional sense. For nearly two decades, the McGowans have fostered an interconnected ecosystem of artists, pushing the boundaries of materiality and process-driven work. This is underpinned by their robust production, logistics, and fabrication infrastructure—a model I witnessed firsthand during a visit to the GUILD Residency in Cape Town. The residency, unlike many others, prioritizes research, independent exploration, and artist exchange without the pressure of immediate exhibition output. It’s a space where experimentation thrives, and the surrounding warehouse, with its production wing, photo studio, and crating facilities, embodies that ethos.
Collaboration at its core
The gallery's approach is deeply collaborative. Trevyn emphasizes, “We see ourselves as partners and collaborators. Together, we make more than the sum of our parts.” This philosophy extends to the artists they represent. Take Imiso Ceramics, co-founded by Andile Dyalvane and Zizipho Poswa. Their work transcends mere ceramics; it’s a profound exploration of collective memory and spiritual symbolism, with Poswa's monumental sculptures—often exceeding two meters—serving as powerful tributes to Xhosa heritage and African womanhood.
A bold debut in a cautious market
Andrea Delph-Dorcely, Southern Guild’s sales director, views the Tribeca opening as more than just an expansion; it’s a statement. “In a moment when the market feels cautious and risk-averse, there’s something powerful about arriving in New York with fresh energy, new ideas, and a program that is both confident and considered.” The gallery is inaugurating its New York space with solo presentations of two South African artists, painter Mmangalizo Nzuza and conceptual artist Usha Seejarim—a bold move signaling the gallery's commitment to showcasing emerging talent. Nzuza's oil paintings echo early 20th-century Cubism, while Seejarim’s work uses everyday objects to deconstruct gender roles and power dynamics.
The hardwood floors of the Tribeca space, still gleaming with a fresh coat of paint, offer a blank canvas for the future. LA provided the foundational lessons; Tribeca represents the flourishing of that knowledge. Southern Guild opens to the public on April 24th, and the anticipation is palpable—a beacon of innovative artistry in a city often wary of risk.