Cape Town-based SMAC Gallery is facing allegations from artists and former staff members over claims of unpaid sales and the withholding of artworks.

South African artist Kate Gottgens recently shared her concerns on social media, alleging that the gallery had neither paid her for artworks it had sold nor returned pieces that remained in its possession.

On July 2, Gottgens posted an image of her 2011 painting Audible Doom on Instagram, asking whether anyone had seen the artwork. She claimed the painting was exhibited by SMAC at the Miart art fair in 2022 but did not sell. According to Gottgens, despite repeatedly requesting its return over the past four years, the artwork had not been returned. The Instagram post has since been deleted.

The allegations have drawn attention within South Africa’s art community, with former staff members also reportedly raising concerns about the gallery’s business practices.

The claims have sparked renewed discussion about transparency, artist representation, and accountability within the commercial art market. At the time of reporting, the allegations remain part of an ongoing dispute.