Nel Gallery Presents Art Shows by Holger Maik Mertin and Ina van Zyl
As the low winter season comes to an end in South Africa, Nel Gallery is invigorating the local art landscape with new and exciting art events. One of them is a two-day multimedia art performance by the internationally acclaimed artist Holger Maik Mertin, held on August 26–27, 2026. On September 1, a solo show by Ina van Zyl will also open at Nel, inviting art lovers to explore her “radically classical” approach to portraiture.
Holger Maik Mertin’s So.Und? at Nel
Nel Gallery recently hosted the exploratory sound performance So.Und? by Holger Maik Mertin, whose unique creative approach blends space and music to create immersive acoustic experiences. The artist treats architectural spaces and the broader environment as musical instruments, transforming the sounds he creates into visual art objects and social statements. He draws on the principles of sustainability, minimalism, and mindfulness to turn moments into musical and artistic expressions.
Mertin has a long history of musical collaborations, including joint projects with Jaki Liebezeit of Can, DJ Marcelle, and Ballet Theater Pforzheim. He has more than a decade of teaching experience in sound semiotics and percussion at the University for Music and Dance Cologne. Mertin has also performed with renowned classical orchestras on several occasions. Since 2019, the artist has taken a more political and activist approach to his work, focusing on community-based collaborations and themes of ecological and social sustainability.
Ina van Zyl: First Solo Art Show in Cape Town in 30 Years
Ina van Zyl is particularly interested in ordinary objects and routines, often removing familiar things from their everyday context. Through this process of decontextualization, the artist explores consciousness and elevates mundane subjects into art, challenging superficial ideas of glamour. Her work also engages with sensuality and explores both female and male beauty. Van Zyl challenges fixed standards of femininity, presenting female expression as a deeply subjective and fluid experience.
Another notable aspect of Ina van Zyl’s portfolio is her depiction of sexual anatomy. Through these works, the artist explores the human body as a source of life while also addressing its vulnerability and the long-standing discomfort surrounding its open representation and discussion.
Nel Gallery invites visitors to discover these and other art shows in Cape Town. Details about the exhibitions and performance schedule are available on the gallery’s website.