Cape Town Gallery SMAC Accused of Withholding Pay and Artworks

South African artist Kate Gottgens has accused SMAC Gallery in Cape Town of withholding artworks and delaying payments over several years. In a now-deleted Instagram post, Gottgens alleged that the gallery failed to return her painting "Audible Doom" (2021) for four years after it did not sell at Miart fair in Milan in 2022. After leaving SMAC in late 2024, she struggled to recover over 50 artworks held by the gallery. Gottgens also claimed that a collector contacted her in February 2025 about owning her painting "Monster Love" (2010), which she had requested back earlier that year; the gallery paid her instantly, calling it an "administrative error." SMAC Exhibitions Coordinator Jean Butler rejected the claims, stating that Gottgens was aware of the painting's location and that delays were due to import/export issues. The gallery's lawyer accused Gottgens of making defamatory posts. Following her Instagram post, Gottgens received R297,500 (~$18,218) for three paintings exhibited at Miart, but SMAC now claims those paintings are its property and will not be returned. Gottgens said she would rather have her artworks than payment. Other artists reportedly shared similar experiences. SMAC also refuted allegations from anonymous former employees reported by Artnews.