Bell-Roberts Publishing has produced the fourth issue of Art South Africa, the quarterly print magazine on contemporary visual art.

The cover of the Winter edition features Berni Searle, the Standard Bank Young Artist for 2003, whose first major solo show in this country opened at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Searle has achieved considerable renown overseas but this represents the first time the artist will receive significant exposure on home turf. Art historian Liese van der Watt takes a fresh look at her body of work interrogating identity politics.

The Johannesburg Art Gallery is the subject of a major investigation by Alex Dodd, who looks at the creative ways in which the institution is responding to the challenges of its inner-city neighbourhood.

Controversial performance artist Steven Cohen is interviewed by Charl Blignaut, on a return visit to South Africa after a year spent at festivals in Europe and collaborating with the famous Ballet Atlantique/Régine Chopinot in France. We also look at the private portfolios of top South African fashion photographers Jillian Lochner, Henrik Purienne, Crispian Plunkett and Lance Slabbert.

In the reviews section, leading art critic Ivor Powell contemplates Bruce Gordon, the bar owner designated as an artwork by Ed Young and acquired by the National Gallery. We review exhibitions including When Latitudes Become Forms at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis and Show Me Home at Johannesburg Art Gallery. Solo artists in the spotlight include Peter Schütz, Roelof Louw, Wayne Barker, Kim Lieberman, Abrie Fourie and Churchill Madikida.

In the news are the nominees for the second MTN New Contemporaries award, prizewinning choreographer Robyn Orlin, an international printmaking conference to be held in Cape Town, obituaries for Nhlanhla Xaba and Trevor Makhoba, and more.

Art South Africa is available at Exclusive Books stores countrywide, as well as selected galleries and bookstores, at a cost of R50 (excluding VAT). More information from Suzette Bell-Roberts on 021 422 1100 or e-mail: suzette@bell-roberts.com