Linda

Givon

1936–2020

Linda Givon (1936–2020) founded Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg in 1966, establishing what would become one of Africa’s leading contemporary art galleries. Drawing on her training in teaching and acting, as well as her experience at London’s Grosvenor Gallery, she developed a rigorous commercial programme grounded in a principled commitment to free expression and to supporting artists whose work challenged political orthodoxies and social constraints during apartheid. Givon played a significant role in reintroducing South African artists to international audiences following the cultural boycott, including participation in the Africa ’95 Festival in London with the group exhibition Mayibuye iAfrica, a collaboration with Bernard Jacobson Gallery made possible by David Bowie. For many years, she was a major donor to South African public collections and worked extensively to build support for community art centres.