By Kat Pichulik and David Brits

Monna Mokoena - Gallery Momo (Johannesburg)

The suave and very charming Mona Mokena is Joburg Gallery MOMO’s frontman. A very warm and personable fellow, Monna is always up for an artsy chat. With a big old Yinka Shonibare, and a rearing horse-riding domestic worker by Mary Sibande to welcome you at the entrance of his booth, Mokena seems to be couching himself very comfortably as an international portal to some of South Africa’s quality emerging and established artists.

João Ferreira (Cape Town)

Artheat’s official most eligible bachelor for the 2009 Art Fair, we are glad to report Joao has still got it. After rediscovering his love for power-vinyasa yoga, portraiture and “sharpening his axe” as a collector, his Cape Town gallery’s booth focuses predominantly on painting this year. Hi booth showcases work by well-knowns Sanell Aggenbach and Michael Taylor, and a rather stomach-knotting photographic portrait of artist/musician of Die Antwoord fame, Leon Botha.

Bisi Silva - CCA Lagos (Lagos, Nigeria)

Possibly the warmest and approachable of all the gallerists on this year’s fair, Bisi bursts with the spirit of owambe – Nigeria’s ‘fondness and reputation for fun’. Having just facilitated a busy month-long multi-faceted artist and curating residency program, we are glad to see CCA Lagos back again this year. Running into a multitude of logistical challenges involved in bringing art from around the continent, Bisi’s booth includes both established and emerging artists from around the continent, with works ranging from heavy weight Yinka Shonibare to photographs by Lucy Azubuike.

Ashleigh McClean – Whatiftheworld/Gallery (Cape Town)

At the curatorial helm of Cape Town’s uber-cool contemporary space, Whatiftheworld, is Ashley McClean. Ashleigh embodies the slick, utilitarian and quasi-Scandinavian aesthetic of the WITW brand. Showing cool-kid nostalgia art, the booth features work by Art South Africa’s latest Bright Young Thing, Daniella Mooney, Peter Eastman, Dan Halter and Rowan Smith.