The Silo Hotel – A Living Art Gallery

From Cyrus Kabiru’s eye-catching sculptures and Jody Paulsen’s layered motifs to Pieter Hugo’s striking photographs and the emerging talents showcased at The Vault, the hotel’s own contemporary art gallery, The Silo Hotel has firmly established itself as Cape Town’s definitive “art hotel”.

Few people would think of creating a hotel that doubles as a gallery above a world-class museum of contemporary African art. But then, Liz Biden is one of a kind. A lover of art and design from across the continent, she is the co-founder of The Royal Portfolio and the heart behind the magnificent collection featured across the hotel.

The Art Concierge at The Silo Hotel, Michael Jacobs, says Liz is not only invested in each and every piece, but she also has a passion for platforming young artists alongside established names like William Kentridge, Kate Gottgens, Nandipha Mntambo, Mohau Modisakeng and many others.

An African Take on Luxury

Michael reflects that what contemporary African art does through the collection is highlight Africa’s take on what luxury means – layers of colour, expression, vibrancy and storytelling.

He points out that Africa has always been perceived in a particular way through the outsider’s gaze and that the narrative has been shaped by Western ideas of what art should be. At The Silo Hotel, it is contemporary African art that tells the story from the inside.

“As an art concierge, I have the privilege of working with an art collection that is extremely diverse, both in the mediums and in the types of artists that we collect, and through these artists, we are able to tell guests the story of the continent, the story of Africa.”

For Sibley McAdam, one of the featured artists whose whimsical work appears in most of the luxury suites, the fact that Liz Biden has so generously showcased African talent at the property is a gift for both artist and guest.

He says, “The Silo sits right in the middle of the art scene in Cape Town. For Liz to have come here and taken all those paintings and put them up in the hotel is just astonishing. You know, an artist can’t ask for more than that!”

Khanyi Mawhayi is a Cape Town-based multidisciplinary artist who explores culture and heritage through her craft. Holding space on the 10th floor, her artwork depicts traditional dancing skirts.

“The artwork that’s part of the Silo Hotel collection is so special to me. It’s part of a series that I made about what it feels like to be Tsonga in South Africa,” she says. “It’s titled Ndzekho Wa mina Wa khapa (My Cup Runneth Over) because I made it at the time when I was moving to Cape Town. I just got a new job and I really felt like my cup was running over, with blessings and all of these new things.”

She says being part of the hotel’s collection introduces her work to guests who might not otherwise have the chance to see it.

“Hotels are public spaces for the most part. They bring in audiences that may not make it to a gallery or a museum – the work gets to breathe and be seen. It’s really exciting to know that there are different kinds of audiences that will be able to see the work. So in whatever collection my work is in, it means that the story of the work, the life of the work, the biography of the work grows,” she says.

Intentionally Investing in New Talent

Michael is especially proud of The Vault, the hotel’s own gallery, which is an unexpected space beneath the hotel that offers a creative platform for up-and-coming artists.

He says, “We curate art exhibitions at The Vault throughout the year, with emerging artists as well as established artists in collaboration with independent project spaces, galleries and artist studios in and around the city of Cape Town.”

For Gabrielle Kruger, who exhibited at The Vault in 2025, it was an opportunity to be part of something bigger.

She says, “Historically, The Vault has included a variety of very talented contemporary artists in its programme, such as Zander Blom, Jody Paulsen and Kate Gottgens – all artists that I admire and look up to. The Silo District is such a great urban space offering many interesting places to visit along with the Zeitz MOCAA and many galleries and commercial spaces. The Silo Hotel, being right in the middle of it all, offers a unique gallery space that showcases local talent.”

Art Needs an Audience

Whether it’s artists or guests, the feeling of inclusivity is intentional – it’s about being part of one of the world’s great cities of design and creativity.

Michael says, “The art at The Silo Hotel differs from other hotels in that above and beyond just being objects of decoration, the pieces offer a warm welcome that invites one to become part of the essence and culture of a place such as Cape Town.”

Whether you’re inspired by a fantastical Sibley McAdam painting in your suite, drawn into the layers of meaning in a Wilfred Timire piece near the rooftop pool, or appreciating the sensitive portrayal of pertinent issues in Southern Africa told through the moving works by Kudzanai Chiurai, the art tells a powerful story of a fractured yet ever-evolving and beautiful continent.

“What makes The Silo Hotel memorable is the way that it makes people feel. It’s not just the architecture, it’s the art. It’s the people. It’s those little moments of discovery,” says Michael.

Guests can enjoy an art tour of The Silo Hotel hosted by Michael Jacobs. He is also available to organise art tours to surrounding galleries.