Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town, has launched a new art exhibition curated by RESERVOIR Projects – Disrupting the Dream: Surreal Narratives – in collaboration with the Norval Foundation. The exhibition, which runs until the end of October this year, brings together a collection of contemporary African art that explores the intersection of dreams, symbolism and cultural memory.

Exploring surrealism from an African perspective, the exhibition reflects on the continent’s artistic evolution from the 1960s to the present day.

Heinrich Groenewald and Shona van der Merwe of RESERVOIR Projects sought to reframe surrealism beyond its Eurocentric origins by selecting works that challenge traditional narratives.

“We wanted to explore how fantasy and imagination unfold within the Mount Nelson’s setting,” said Groenewald. “This collection invites visitors to engage with figurative painting and photography in a way that extends beyond representation.”

Featuring a mix of painting, photography and mixed media, the exhibition includes works by Dada Khanyisa, Zanele Muholi, Portia Zvavahera, Gregory Olympio, Kate Gottgens, Wole Lagunju, David Goldblatt, Berni Searle, Kudzanai-Violet Hwami and Georgina Gratrix, among others.

The selection spans 19 artists each contributing to a dialogue that reflects on identity, memory and the power of artistic transformation. Zvavahera’s dreamlike compositions and Mawande Ka Zenzile’s layered landscapes are focal points in the exhibition – inviting viewers to engage with the subconscious and cultural storytelling.

The exhibition unfolds throughout the Mount Nelson’s public spaces, integrating seamlessly with the hotel’s existing interiors. Visitors can experience the collection while enjoying afternoon tea in the lounge or exploring other communal areas.

Caroline Greyling, Museum Director for the Norval Foundation, highlighted the importance of the collaboration: “This exhibition showcases artists redefining visual storytelling in Africa. Partnering with the Mount Nelson allows us to bring these voices into a space that is central to Cape Town’s cultural landscape.”