Kalashnikovv Gallery
Kalashnikovv Gallery is a Johannesburg-founded contemporary fine art gallery and project space (est. 2013) representing emerging to established South African artists through two physical galleries, an online viewing room, an international art fair circuit, and corporate art advisory services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersJohannesburg, South Africa
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Kalashnikovv Gallery does
Kalashnikovv Gallery is a privately held contemporary fine art gallery and project space founded in 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa by co-directors MJ Turpin and Matthew Dean Dowdle, with Zanele Kumalo as associate director. The firm operates two physical gallery spaces — 72 6th Street, Parkhurst (Johannesburg) and 61 Loop Street, CBD (Cape Town, opened May 2024) — and runs a digital platform at kalashnikovv.com with an online viewing room and the Collectors Incubator (a curated monthly sale of affordable works priced $200-$1,200). It represents a roster of emerging to established South African artists across painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media, and operates an Artist Products line of limited edition prints, ceramics, and branded merchandise priced from $4.65 to $525.
The business model combines four revenue streams: (1) primary-market artwork sales via gallery exhibitions and a 10+ art fair per year international circuit (1-54 London, Art Brussels, AKAA Paris, FNB Art Joburg, Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Untitled Miami, among others), typically on transaction-fee/commission terms; (2) corporate art consultancy and advisory services for brand clients including Levi's, G-Star, Nike, Converse, Red Bull, New Balance, and VANS; (3) collector-direct sales of affordable works and merchandise through the online platform; and (4) cultural-project programming (Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival, The Wreck Room, Le Grand Ball, The Black Cube Sessions, The Tennis Club, New Testament) that functions as both brand-building and community engagement rather than direct revenue.
The gallery is differentiated by an explicit anti-'white cube' positioning, a socio-political engagement ethos, and a deep cultural-ecosystem footprint (Basha Uhuru alone draws 10,000+ guests annually). The firm has no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and remains entirely founder-controlled. There are 6 employees and revenue is not publicly disclosed.
Kalashnikovv Gallery firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kalashnikovv Gallery
- Legal name
- Kalashnikovv Gallery
- Website
- https://kalashnikovv.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Kalashnikovv Gallery is a Johannesburg-founded contemporary fine art gallery and project space (est. 2013) representing emerging to established South African artists through two physical galleries, an online viewing room, an international art fair circuit, and corporate art advisory services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kalashnikovv Gallery industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Contemporary Art Gallery
- NAICS
- Art Dealers (459920), Art Dealers (45992)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH)
Keywords
Where Kalashnikovv Gallery is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Johannesburg
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices3 records
Markets served
Kalashnikovv Gallery business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Art Sales and Commissions: Primary revenue from selling artworks by represented artists, typically taking commission on sales. Gallery represents artists with emerging to established careers and facilitates sales through exhibitions, art fairs, and direct collector relationships.
- Art Fairs Participation: Revenue generated through participation in international art fairs including 1-54 London, Art Brussels, Art Rotterdam, Artissima, Enter Art Fair, Expo Chicago, FNB Art Joburg, Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Latitudes, and Untitled Miami.
- Artist Products: Sale of limited edition prints, ceramics, photographs, and merchandise featuring artist works. Products include prints ranging from $230-$525, ceramics from $165-$210, and branded merchandise like tote bags ($20) and apparel.
- Art Consultancy Services: Art consultancy services provided to brands and companies including Levi Strauss & Co, G-Star, VANS, Nike, Converse, Red Bull, and others for corporate art installations and projects.
- Collectors Incubator: A curated sale of affordable artworks created by renowned South African artists with prices ranging from $200 to $1200. Features smaller-scale works with each artist presenting two new works monthly.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Limited Edition Prints - $230-$525 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Unique Artworks and Ceramics - $165-$210 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Artist Merchandise - $4.65-$58 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Collectors Incubator - $200 to $1200 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
Kalashnikovv Gallery product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kalashnikovv Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery and project space that represents emerging and established South African artists, selling original artworks, limited edition prints, ceramics, and artist merchandise through physical gallery spaces in Johannesburg and Cape Town, an online platform, and participation in international art fairs. The gallery also provides art consultancy services to corporate brands for art installations and brand activations. Its dual identity as a commercial gallery and experimental project space supports socio-political engagement through cultural initiatives such as the Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival and the Collectors Incubator affordable art program.
Product overview
Kalashnikovv Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery and project space founded in 2013 in direct response to the traditional white cube gallery system. The company operates as both a commercial gallery and experimental project space with an ethos of socio-political engagement and accessibility. Its core offering is the physical gallery spaces in Johannesburg and Cape Town, supplemented by a digital presence through its online platform (kalashnikovv.com) and the Collectors Incubator viewing room. The gallery operates several cultural initiatives including The Wreck Room video channel, Le Grand Ball LGBTQIA+ events, The Black Cube Sessions, Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival, The Tennis Club events space, and New Testament conceptual bar. Artist Products line includes limited edition prints, ceramics, and merchandise. The gallery participates extensively in international and local art fairs and provides art advisory services to brands and institutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kalashnikovv Gallery (Art Gallery and Exhibitions) A contemporary fine art gallery and project space that represents emerging and established South African artists, hosting exhibitions and facilitating primary market sales of artworks across painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media. Operates from physical gallery spaces in Parkhurst, Johannesburg (72 6th Street) and Cape Town CBD (61 Loop Street, opened May 2024).
- Collectors Incubator A curated online sale of affordable artworks created by renowned South African artists, with prices ranging from $200 to $1200. Each artist presents two new works monthly. Includes video interviews with young art collectors to onboard new buyers into the contemporary art market.
- Artist Products (Prints, Ceramics, Merchandise) Sale of limited edition prints ($230-$525), unique ceramic sculptures ($165-$210), and branded merchandise including tote bags ($20), face masks ($4.65), t-shirts ($35), and hoodies ($58) featuring works by represented artists such as Llewellyn Mnguni, Ralph Borland, MJ Turpin, Ayanda Mabulu, Louis de Villiers, Maja Maljevic, and Jess Sutherland.
- Art Advisory Services
- Art Fair Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival grew to host over 10,000 guests annually since 2013
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Kalashnikovv Gallery
Customer profileNamed customers23 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Kalashnikovv Gallery technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Kalashnikovv Gallery partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Bode Gallery (Berlin)minorGallery collaboration with Berlin-based contemporary art gallery for artist exchange and exhibition partnerships
- No Man's Gallery (Amsterdam)minorGallery collaboration with Amsterdam-based gallery for artist representation and exhibition partnerships
- Bonne Espérance Gallery (Paris)minorGallery collaboration with Paris-based gallery for artist exchange
- Curated By (Amsterdam)minorPartnership with Amsterdam curatorial platform
- Foreign Agent (Lausanne)minorPartnership with Lausanne-based art platform
- Latitudes Centre for Contemporary Art (Johannesburg)coreLong-standing partnership with Johannesburg-based center for contemporary art and annual Latitudes Art Fair
- Reservoir (Cape Town)minorGallery collaboration with Cape Town-based space
- Everard Read (Cape Town & Johannesburg)corePartnership with one of Africa's oldest commercial galleries with spaces in both cities
- Southern Guild (Cape Town)corePartnership with leading Cape Town gallery representing significant South African designers and artists
- Ebony Curated (Cape Town)corePartnership with Cape Town gallery, jointly featured at Untitled Art Miami Beach 2023
- SMAC Gallery (Cape Town)corePartnership with established Cape Town gallery
- WorldArt (Cape Town)minorGallery collaboration with Cape Town-based gallery
- David Krut Projects (Johannesburg)coreLong-standing partnership with Johannesburg-based printmaking and publishing studio
- 1-54 Contemporary African Art FaircoreRegular participation at 1-54 London and other editions - premier international platform for contemporary African art
- FNB Art JoburgcoreAnnual participation at South Africa's leading contemporary art fair
- Investec Cape Town Art FaircoreRegular participation at Cape Town's premier art fair
- Constitution HillcoreCo-founded Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival in 2013, held on the historical prison site at Constitution Hill
- Untitled Art Miami BeachcoreParticipated alongside Ebony/Curated and Southern Guild to discuss role of gallery and curator in evolving cultural landscape
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kalashnikovv Gallery competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Goodman Gallery: One of South Africa's leading contemporary art galleries with locations in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and London. Directly comparable to Kalashnikovv in its representation of contemporary African artists, international fair circuit participation, and dual commercial/project space model.
- Ebony Curated: Cape Town gallery and Kalashnikovv partner; jointly featured at Untitled Art Miami Beach 2023. Comparable as a contemporary African art gallery with international fair presence and Cape Town base.
- Southern Guild: Leading Cape Town gallery representing significant South African designers and contemporary artists. Listed as a core Kalashnikovv channel partner; comparable in Cape Town gallery model, international fair presence (including Untitled Miami), and contemporary African art focus.
- David Krut Projects: Johannesburg-based printmaking and publishing studio and gallery. Long-standing Kalashnikovv partner; comparable in representing South African artists, fine art print editions, and gallery collaboration model.
- Everard Read Gallery: One of Africa's oldest commercial galleries with spaces in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and London. Listed as a Kalashnikovv channel partner; directly comparable as a contemporary African art gallery with overlapping artist representation and collector base.
- SMAC Gallery: Established Cape Town gallery and Kalashnikovv channel partner. Comparable as a South African contemporary art gallery with overlapping fair participation and co-location in Cape Town's 61 Loop Street district.
- Stevenson Gallery: Cape Town and Johannesburg-based contemporary art gallery representing major South African and African artists. Comparable in size, contemporary African art focus, international art fair participation, and representation of established and emerging artists.
Emerging players
- Tiwani Contemporary: London-based gallery with a strong focus on contemporary African and diaspora artists. Comparable as a smaller specialist gallery in the international African art market, though Kalashnikovv's footprint is South African-rooted.
Others
- 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair: Premier international platform for contemporary African art, hosting fairs in London, Paris, New York, and Marrakech. Not a direct competitor but the primary distribution channel Kalashnikovv uses to access international collectors.
Broad incumbents
- Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa: Cape Town institution and Africa's largest museum of contemporary African art. Functions as a broader incumbent in the same ecosystem — institutional rather than commercial, but comparable in advancing contemporary African art visibility and influencing the collector market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kalashnikovv Gallery social profiles
Digital presenceKalashnikovv Gallery financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kalashnikovv Gallery leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Kalashnikovv Gallery funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kalashnikovv Gallery M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kalashnikovv Gallery
What does Kalashnikovv Gallery do?
Kalashnikovv Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery and project space that represents emerging and established South African artists, selling original artworks, limited edition prints, ceramics, and artist merchandise through physical gallery spaces in Johannesburg and Cape Town, an online platform, and participation in international art fairs. The gallery also provides art consultancy services to corporate brands for art installations and brand activations. Its dual identity as a commercial gallery and experimental project space supports socio-political engagement through cultural initiatives such as the Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival and the Collectors Incubator affordable art program.
Is Kalashnikovv Gallery a public or private company?
Kalashnikovv Gallery is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Kalashnikovv Gallery founded?
Kalashnikovv Gallery was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Kalashnikovv Gallery based?
Kalashnikovv Gallery is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Kalashnikovv Gallery make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Art Sales and Commissions are the primary driver. The others are art Fairs Participation, artist Products, art Consultancy Services and collectors Incubator.
Who are Kalashnikovv Gallery's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Goodman Gallery, Ebony Curated, Southern Guild, David Krut Projects, Everard Read Gallery, SMAC Gallery and Stevenson Gallery. Tiwani Contemporary is listed as an emerging player. 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair is listed as an others. Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Kalashnikovv Gallery have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kalashnikovv Gallery.
What industry is Kalashnikovv Gallery in?
Kalashnikovv Gallery's product category is Contemporary Art Gallery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJADAH, Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit). Its NAICS code is 459920 and its SIC code is 7330.