Latitude Art Residency - Riebeek Kasteel
Latitude Art Residency – Riebeek Kasteel, Western Cape, South Africa
Site-Specific Artist Residency in Historic 200-Year-Old Cape Venue with Solo Exhibition
Overview
Latitude Art Residency emerged in 2025 through a strategic partnership between Taranmana Art and Kokos Huis Riebeek Kasteel, creating an international residency program focused on site-specific creation and cultural exchange. Born from the successful 2024 solo exhibition by artist Sonia Bermúdez in this centuries-old Western Cape venue, the residency offers established artists 1-4 week immersive experiences culminating in solo exhibitions. This program combines professional curatorial mentorship, access to a historic production hall, and deep engagement with South Africa’s natural, cultural, and urban environments.
Founding Vision & Leadership
Taranmana Art & Aminda Saludes
For over two decades, Aminda Saludes has pioneered intimate, intensive art experiences that challenge conventional exhibition formats. Founding Taranmana Art in 2019, she developed a distinctive project emphasizing open, diverse, and critical dialogue between artwork, artist, and viewer. Her curatorial philosophy prioritizes instinct and emotion over market pressures, understanding art as both communication tool and collective historical record.
Taranmana’s evolution now embraces international programs, art fairs, and residencies that deepen contemporary art engagement. The Cape Town residency represents a natural progression—connecting artists with new geographies through research, mentorship, and professional visibility under Aminda’s experienced curatorial guidance.
Kokos Huis & Prisca
With Andorran and English heritage, Prisca embodies the soul of Kokos Huis. Her background in creating authentic spaces led her to transform this historic 200-year-old building into a place where time suspends. Previously founding l’Ovella Negra—a cult mountain retreat in the Pyrenees—she envisioned Kokos Huis as a bridge between island nostalgia, natural beauty, and contemporary art.
Prisca contributes space management expertise and artistic sensibility, cultivating an atmosphere enabling artists to immerse themselves fully and develop projects with freedom and inspiration. Growing up surrounded by art, she brings unique perspective on creation and visual culture, enriching participating artists’ experiences.
The Historic Venue
Location: Riebeek Kasteel, Western Cape—a charming town surrounded by vineyards, wheat fields, and dramatic mountain landscapes approximately 80km from Cape Town.
Kokos Huis Heritage: This architectural treasure spans over two centuries of South African history, offering:
- Historic hall serving dual function as production studio and exhibition space
- Original features providing atmospheric working environment
- Optimal conditions for art creation and public presentation
- Cultural resonance connecting contemporary practice to historical continuity
The venue’s age and character become integral elements in the creative process, influencing artistic development and final presentations.
Site-Specific Residency Focus
A defining characteristic of Latitude Art Residency is its emphasis on site-responsive creation. Artists develop works specifically influenced by and designed for the Kokos Huis hall and broader Cape Town environment. This means:
- Environment shapes artwork: The 200-year-old space, natural surroundings, and cultural context actively inform creative direction
- Location-specific production: Works emerge from deep engagement with place rather than imported concepts
- Integrated exhibition: Final presentations respond to the architectural and historical qualities of the venue
- Immersive process: Artists absorb social, cultural, natural, and urban aspects of South Africa throughout residency
Applications are evaluated on how proposed projects align with this site-specific approach, ensuring meaningful dialogue between artist, place, and work.
Program Structure & Support
Duration Options: Flexible 1-4 week residencies accommodating various project scopes and production timelines
Comprehensive Support Includes:
Curatorial Guidance: Professional mentorship from Aminda Saludes throughout the creative process, offering conceptual refinement, critical dialogue, and strategic exhibition planning
Cultural Mentorship: Prisca’s intimate knowledge of the space and environment enriches artistic development
Research Assistance: Support for project development within local context, including professional advice and introductions
Network Access: Connections with Cape Town cultural institutions, galleries, curators, and art professionals
Logistical Coordination: Ongoing support managing practical aspects of residency and exhibition preparation
Final Solo Exhibition: Guaranteed presentation of residency-produced work in the historic Kokos Huis hall, providing professional visibility and public engagement
Documentation: Assistance documenting creative process for portfolio, grant applications, and future opportunities
Accommodation & Facilities
Full Accommodation: Complete living quarters at Kokos Huis Riebeek Kasteel adapted for both daily life and artistic creation
Private Production Hall: Exclusive access to the centuries-old hall offering:
- Generous square footage for ambitious projects
- Historic atmosphere inspiring creative responses
- Exhibition-ready presentation space
- Optimal working conditions for diverse media
Important Note: Meals are NOT included in residency package—artists arrange their own dining (Riebeek Kasteel offers restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores)
Studio Equipment: Space provides foundational infrastructure; artists bring specialized tools and materials as needed
Artist Profile & Eligibility
Ideal Candidates:
Professional Experience: Minimum 5 years established practice with exhibition history in recognized galleries or institutions
Solid Portfolio: Demonstrated artistic excellence and coherent body of work
Site-Responsive Interest: Genuine commitment to developing works responding to immersive Cape Town context and historic venue
Production Commitment: Willingness to create new work specifically during residency period
Special Consideration Given To:
- Originality and feasibility of proposed site-specific project
- Ability to integrate environmental experience into artistic practice
- Previous research, innovation, and experimentation in art-making
- Clear vision for how Kokos Huis and Cape Town will influence creative development
Disciplines Welcomed
This international contemporary art residency embraces established practitioners across:
- Painting and drawing
- Sculpture and three-dimensional work
- Installation and site-specific art
- Photography and lens-based media
- Video and time-based practices
- Sound art and audio installation
- Mixed media and interdisciplinary work
- Conceptual art and research-based practices
- Performance (space-responsive)
- Textile arts and fiber practices
Projects must be feasible within the historic hall environment and responsive to location.
Financial Investment & Terms
Program Cost: €1,500 for 3-week residency (approximately $1,600 USD)
Payment Schedule:
- 50% deposit required upon residency confirmation
- Remaining 50% due one week before residency commencement
What’s Included:
- Full accommodation at Kokos Huis
- Private access to historic production/exhibition hall
- Curatorial and cultural mentorship
- Research and networking support
- Final solo exhibition organization and presentation
- Grant application documentation assistance
Artist Responsibilities:
- International and local transportation costs
- All meals and personal expenses
- Art materials and production supplies
- Specialized tools or equipment beyond basic infrastructure
- Exhibition installation materials (if requiring specific mounting systems)
Important Condition: Kokos Huis reserves the right to acquire one work produced during residency for its permanent collection—consider this when planning project scope and budgeting materials.
Application Requirements
Submission Deadline: October 15, 2025 for upcoming residency periods
Contact Methods:
- Website: https://www.taranmanaart.com/news (contact section)
- Email: info@taranmanaart.com
Required Application Materials:
- Updated Artist CV – Complete professional history demonstrating 5+ years established practice
- Artist Statement – Clear articulation of your practice, themes, and methodologies
- Recent Portfolio – High-quality documentation of current work showing artistic maturity
- Project Proposal – Detailed description including:
- Objectives and conceptual framework
- Methodology and working process
- Materials and technical requirements
- Feasibility assessment within historic hall
- How Cape Town environment will influence the work
- Relationship to site-specific residency approach
- Letter of Motivation – Personal statement explaining why Latitude Art Residency aligns with your practice and career trajectory
- Two Letters of Recommendation – Professional references from curators, gallery directors, arts administrators, or established artists familiar with your work
Selection Process
Curatorial Committee Evaluation Criteria:
- Artistic quality and strength of professional trajectory
- Originality of proposed concept and approach
- Project feasibility within residency timeframe, space, and resources
- Development potential demonstrating how residency will advance the work
- Site-specificity and genuine engagement with location-responsive creation
- Exhibition readiness for professional solo presentation
Selected artists receive confirmation with residency details, payment schedule, and preparation guidelines.
Residency Objectives & Outcomes
Program Goals:
Transformative Environment: Provide optimal conditions for innovative, internationally relevant project development
Global Visibility: Enhance artist’s professional profile through curated solo exhibition in unique historic venue
Local Connection: Facilitate meaningful engagement with Cape Town’s art scene, cultural institutions, and professional networks
Cultural Exchange: Build bridges between international creators and South African contemporary art communities
Professional Development: Expand artistic possibilities through curatorial mentorship and site-specific challenges
Portfolio Enhancement: Document significant residency experience supporting future applications, exhibitions, and funding opportunities
Why Choose Latitude Art Residency?
This established artist residency in South Africa offers:
- Historic venue with two centuries of architectural character
- Guaranteed solo exhibition providing professional validation
- Expert curatorial mentorship from Aminda Saludes (Taranmana Art)
- Intimate scale allowing deep engagement with mentors and space
- Site-specific focus challenging artists to respond to place
- Riebeek Kasteel location combining rural beauty with Cape Town proximity
- Flexible duration (1-4 weeks) accommodating project needs
- Affordable investment (€1,500/3 weeks) for comprehensive support
- Network building through Cape Town art professional connections
- Grant support with documentation for funding applications
Location Advantages: Riebeek Kasteel & Cape Town Access
Riebeek Kasteel offers tranquil creative environment with:
- Stunning Swartland scenery and agricultural landscapes
- Historic Cape Dutch architecture
- Local wine estates and artisan culture
- Peaceful working conditions away from urban intensity
Cape Town proximity (80km) provides:
- Access to world-class museums and galleries
- Contemporary art district visits
- Cultural institution connections
- Urban environment research
- Coastal and mountain natural inspiration
- International city amenities
Additional Resources
Kokos Huis Information: https://kokoshuis.com/gallery/
Residency Official Page: https://www.taranmanaart.com/news
Experience the convergence of history, landscape, and contemporary art practice in a residency designed for established artists ready to create site-responsive work in one of South Africa’s most culturally rich regions.
Latitude Art Residency – Riebeek Kasteel, Western Cape, South Africa
Site-Specific Artist Residency in Historic 200-Year-Old Cape Venue with Solo Exhibition
Overview
Latitude Art Residency emerged in 2025 through a strategic partnership between Taranmana Art and Kokos Huis Riebeek Kasteel, creating an international residency program focused on site-specific creation and cultural exchange. Born from the successful 2024 solo exhibition by artist Sonia Bermúdez in this centuries-old Western Cape venue, the residency offers established artists 1-4 week immersive experiences culminating in solo exhibitions. This program combines professional curatorial mentorship, access to a historic production hall, and deep engagement with South Africa’s natural, cultural, and urban environments.
Founding Vision & Leadership
Taranmana Art & Aminda Saludes
For over two decades, Aminda Saludes has pioneered intimate, intensive art experiences that challenge conventional exhibition formats. Founding Taranmana Art in 2019, she developed a distinctive project emphasizing open, diverse, and critical dialogue between artwork, artist, and viewer. Her curatorial philosophy prioritizes instinct and emotion over market pressures, understanding art as both communication tool and collective historical record.
Taranmana’s evolution now embraces international programs, art fairs, and residencies that deepen contemporary art engagement. The Cape Town residency represents a natural progression—connecting artists with new geographies through research, mentorship, and professional visibility under Aminda’s experienced curatorial guidance.
Kokos Huis & Prisca
With Andorran and English heritage, Prisca embodies the soul of Kokos Huis. Her background in creating authentic spaces led her to transform this historic 200-year-old building into a place where time suspends. Previously founding l’Ovella Negra—a cult mountain retreat in the Pyrenees—she envisioned Kokos Huis as a bridge between island nostalgia, natural beauty, and contemporary art.
Prisca contributes space management expertise and artistic sensibility, cultivating an atmosphere enabling artists to immerse themselves fully and develop projects with freedom and inspiration. Growing up surrounded by art, she brings unique perspective on creation and visual culture, enriching participating artists’ experiences.
The Historic Venue
Location: Riebeek Kasteel, Western Cape—a charming town surrounded by vineyards, wheat fields, and dramatic mountain landscapes approximately 80km from Cape Town.
Kokos Huis Heritage: This architectural treasure spans over two centuries of South African history, offering:
- Historic hall serving dual function as production studio and exhibition space
- Original features providing atmospheric working environment
- Optimal conditions for art creation and public presentation
- Cultural resonance connecting contemporary practice to historical continuity
The venue’s age and character become integral elements in the creative process, influencing artistic development and final presentations.
Site-Specific Residency Focus
A defining characteristic of Latitude Art Residency is its emphasis on site-responsive creation. Artists develop works specifically influenced by and designed for the Kokos Huis hall and broader Cape Town environment. This means:
- Environment shapes artwork: The 200-year-old space, natural surroundings, and cultural context actively inform creative direction
- Location-specific production: Works emerge from deep engagement with place rather than imported concepts
- Integrated exhibition: Final presentations respond to the architectural and historical qualities of the venue
- Immersive process: Artists absorb social, cultural, natural, and urban aspects of South Africa throughout residency
Applications are evaluated on how proposed projects align with this site-specific approach, ensuring meaningful dialogue between artist, place, and work.
Program Structure & Support
Duration Options: Flexible 1-4 week residencies accommodating various project scopes and production timelines
Comprehensive Support Includes:
Curatorial Guidance: Professional mentorship from Aminda Saludes throughout the creative process, offering conceptual refinement, critical dialogue, and strategic exhibition planning
Cultural Mentorship: Prisca’s intimate knowledge of the space and environment enriches artistic development
Research Assistance: Support for project development within local context, including professional advice and introductions
Network Access: Connections with Cape Town cultural institutions, galleries, curators, and art professionals
Logistical Coordination: Ongoing support managing practical aspects of residency and exhibition preparation
Final Solo Exhibition: Guaranteed presentation of residency-produced work in the historic Kokos Huis hall, providing professional visibility and public engagement
Documentation: Assistance documenting creative process for portfolio, grant applications, and future opportunities
Accommodation & Facilities
Full Accommodation: Complete living quarters at Kokos Huis Riebeek Kasteel adapted for both daily life and artistic creation
Private Production Hall: Exclusive access to the centuries-old hall offering:
- Generous square footage for ambitious projects
- Historic atmosphere inspiring creative responses
- Exhibition-ready presentation space
- Optimal working conditions for diverse media
Important Note: Meals are NOT included in residency package—artists arrange their own dining (Riebeek Kasteel offers restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores)
Studio Equipment: Space provides foundational infrastructure; artists bring specialized tools and materials as needed
Artist Profile & Eligibility
Ideal Candidates:
Professional Experience: Minimum 5 years established practice with exhibition history in recognized galleries or institutions
Solid Portfolio: Demonstrated artistic excellence and coherent body of work
Site-Responsive Interest: Genuine commitment to developing works responding to immersive Cape Town context and historic venue
Production Commitment: Willingness to create new work specifically during residency period
Special Consideration Given To:
- Originality and feasibility of proposed site-specific project
- Ability to integrate environmental experience into artistic practice
- Previous research, innovation, and experimentation in art-making
- Clear vision for how Kokos Huis and Cape Town will influence creative development
Disciplines Welcomed
This international contemporary art residency embraces established practitioners across:
- Painting and drawing
- Sculpture and three-dimensional work
- Installation and site-specific art
- Photography and lens-based media
- Video and time-based practices
- Sound art and audio installation
- Mixed media and interdisciplinary work
- Conceptual art and research-based practices
- Performance (space-responsive)
- Textile arts and fiber practices
Projects must be feasible within the historic hall environment and responsive to location.
Financial Investment & Terms
Program Cost: €1,500 for 3-week residency (approximately $1,600 USD)
Payment Schedule:
- 50% deposit required upon residency confirmation
- Remaining 50% due one week before residency commencement
What’s Included:
- Full accommodation at Kokos Huis
- Private access to historic production/exhibition hall
- Curatorial and cultural mentorship
- Research and networking support
- Final solo exhibition organization and presentation
- Grant application documentation assistance
Artist Responsibilities:
- International and local transportation costs
- All meals and personal expenses
- Art materials and production supplies
- Specialized tools or equipment beyond basic infrastructure
- Exhibition installation materials (if requiring specific mounting systems)
Important Condition: Kokos Huis reserves the right to acquire one work produced during residency for its permanent collection—consider this when planning project scope and budgeting materials.
Application Requirements
Submission Deadline: October 15, 2025 for upcoming residency periods
Contact Methods:
- Website: https://www.taranmanaart.com/news (contact section)
- Email: info@taranmanaart.com
Required Application Materials:
- Updated Artist CV – Complete professional history demonstrating 5+ years established practice
- Artist Statement – Clear articulation of your practice, themes, and methodologies
- Recent Portfolio – High-quality documentation of current work showing artistic maturity
- Project Proposal – Detailed description including:
- Objectives and conceptual framework
- Methodology and working process
- Materials and technical requirements
- Feasibility assessment within historic hall
- How Cape Town environment will influence the work
- Relationship to site-specific residency approach
- Letter of Motivation – Personal statement explaining why Latitude Art Residency aligns with your practice and career trajectory
- Two Letters of Recommendation – Professional references from curators, gallery directors, arts administrators, or established artists familiar with your work
Selection Process
Curatorial Committee Evaluation Criteria:
- Artistic quality and strength of professional trajectory
- Originality of proposed concept and approach
- Project feasibility within residency timeframe, space, and resources
- Development potential demonstrating how residency will advance the work
- Site-specificity and genuine engagement with location-responsive creation
- Exhibition readiness for professional solo presentation
Selected artists receive confirmation with residency details, payment schedule, and preparation guidelines.
Residency Objectives & Outcomes
Program Goals:
Transformative Environment: Provide optimal conditions for innovative, internationally relevant project development
Global Visibility: Enhance artist’s professional profile through curated solo exhibition in unique historic venue
Local Connection: Facilitate meaningful engagement with Cape Town’s art scene, cultural institutions, and professional networks
Cultural Exchange: Build bridges between international creators and South African contemporary art communities
Professional Development: Expand artistic possibilities through curatorial mentorship and site-specific challenges
Portfolio Enhancement: Document significant residency experience supporting future applications, exhibitions, and funding opportunities
Why Choose Latitude Art Residency?
This established artist residency in South Africa offers:
- Historic venue with two centuries of architectural character
- Guaranteed solo exhibition providing professional validation
- Expert curatorial mentorship from Aminda Saludes (Taranmana Art)
- Intimate scale allowing deep engagement with mentors and space
- Site-specific focus challenging artists to respond to place
- Riebeek Kasteel location combining rural beauty with Cape Town proximity
- Flexible duration (1-4 weeks) accommodating project needs
- Affordable investment (€1,500/3 weeks) for comprehensive support
- Network building through Cape Town art professional connections
- Grant support with documentation for funding applications
Location Advantages: Riebeek Kasteel & Cape Town Access
Riebeek Kasteel offers tranquil creative environment with:
- Stunning Swartland scenery and agricultural landscapes
- Historic Cape Dutch architecture
- Local wine estates and artisan culture
- Peaceful working conditions away from urban intensity
Cape Town proximity (80km) provides:
- Access to world-class museums and galleries
- Contemporary art district visits
- Cultural institution connections
- Urban environment research
- Coastal and mountain natural inspiration
- International city amenities
Additional Resources
Kokos Huis Information: https://kokoshuis.com/gallery/
Residency Official Page: https://www.taranmanaart.com/news
Experience the convergence of history, landscape, and contemporary art practice in a residency designed for established artists ready to create site-responsive work in one of South Africa’s most culturally rich regions.