Haroon Gunn-Salie Biography

 Haroon have always been a creative person, encouraged by his mother, who enrolled him into Frank Joubert Art and Design School during primary school. He returned in high school to pursue Spatial Design and Art History as matric subjects. He uesd to work for an NGO, and He spent his monthly wages on paint, and use any free time for painting.

 Haroon Gunn-Salie describes his journey as one of “many realisations”. During a gap year in 2008 he considered studying law as a way to further his interest in social justice, activism and grassroots politics. Instead, he’s pursuing these passions in another way: through art. 

Haroon Gunn-Salie jorney took a turn when He decided to produce an application portfolio to study at UCT’s Michaelis School of Fine Art. His aunt Jenny Gorman,who is an amazing painter and artist who studied at Michaelis in the 70s, further encouraged him to apply. Jenny and her late husband Jim Gorman offered to pay for his studies and materials if he got accepted. 

Haroon’s multidisciplinary work is centred on dialogue and exchange and he fosters this through a unique practice of sculptural installation, public art and site-specific interventions. His upcoming solo show at the Goodman Gallery, History after apartheid (22 August – 19 September 2015) sheds light on the present contradictions in contemporary South Africa – a place which on the one hand is experiencing a major transition, yet continues to be defined by its long history of oppression and struggle. 

Haroon Gunn-Salie was awarded SP-ARTE/VIDEOBRASIL PRIZE in 2015.

Facebook: haroon.gunnsalie