investec cape town art fair Archives | Visi

PICHULIK and Lloyd Unveil ‘to hold’ at ICTAF 2026

Gina Beretta — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Two South African female-led studios join forces for a luminous exploration of craft and connection.

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Justin Patrick Photography

In a powerful meeting of minds and materials, PICHULIK and Studio Lloyd have revealed ‘to hold’ – a collaborative installation presented as part of the CAPSULE section at this year’s Investec Cape Town Art Fair.

Drawing on the ancient arts of knotting, crochet, and weaving, the installation explores the language of rope – not just as a material but as a vessel for feminine knowledge. For centuries, these practices have shaped ritual, trade, and domestic life, encoding care and continuity into every loop and bind. Now, this lineage is brought vividly into the present through a dialogue between two distinct yet complementary practices: PICHULIK, the luxury jewellery atelier known for its bold, sculptural forms; and Studio Lloyd, a design studio celebrated for its handcrafted lighting and objects.

At the heart of the installation is a series of limited-edition embellished bags by PICHULIK. Each is a carrier of meaning, incorporating semi-precious stones, sculptural rope, and symbolic cast brass to evoke ancient ideas of value and adornment.

In response, Studio Lloyd has created a sculptural light landscape that envelops the space. Handwoven and luminous, the structure echoes the rhythms of the bags, transforming rope, stone, and light into an immersive environment.

Together, ‘to hold’ honours craft as a feminist inheritance, reclaiming it as a site of strength, beauty, and contemporary expression. pichulik.com | studiolloyd.com

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Inside Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2026

Neyani Mphephu — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Guided by the theme ‘Listen’ the 13th edition of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair – Africa’s most internationally connected art fair – makes its return to the CTICC from from 20 to 22 February.

WORDS Neyani Mphephu PHOTOS Mia Thom / Courtesy of Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Africa’s largest and most internationally connected art fair, Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2026 (ICTAF), represents a remarkable revolution in the art of listening. As the fair returns to the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the theme Listen will transform how guests engage with contemporary art, creating space for genuine dialogue across cultures, continents and creative practices.

“‘Listen’ is an invitation to engage across borders, perspectives and experiences,” shares Fair Director Laura Vincenti. “Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2026 is a convergence of voices – a space where artists, galleries and audiences are encouraged not only to see, but to listen.”

While maintaining its strong Cape Town identity, ICTAF has evolved into an essential bridge connecting diverse international voices. The fair brings together 126 exhibitors representing 23 cities worldwide, showcasing 490 artists from 44 countries across five continents. This remarkable assembly establishes the fair not just as Africa’s largest art event, but as a global artistic capital for one transformative week.

Participating Galleries

Galleries on Display

This year’s edition welcomes exhibitors from new cities worldwide – including Andorra la Vella, Douala, Lugo, Lusaka, Marseille, Palermo, Santiago de Compostela, Stockholm and The Hague – bringing fresh perspectives. These voices join the fair’s celebrated returning participants, including powerhouse galleries such as Stevenson, Goodman Gallery, blank projects, Southern Guild, WHATIFTHEWORLD, EBONY/CURATED, SMAC Gallery and Eclectica Contemporary, among others.

Local Galleries

Paws, Play & Pattern

Gina Beretta — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Colourful dog accessory brand Chommies has partnered with South African designer Peet Pienaar to bring a playful twist to the official VIP bags for Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025.

WORDS Gina Dionisio

Known for reimagining pet accessories, Chommies is bringing its distinctive creativity and craftsmanship to the art world in an unexpected and delightful collaboration with renowned South African designer Peet Pienaar. Inspired by Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025’s theme, PLAY, this collaboration reimagines the official VIP bags with a bold, design-driven approach.

While the motif may appear to be a lighthearted scene of dogs at play, it’s imbued with a thoughtful exploration of how history, culture, and personal experiences roll together. “The brief from Chommies was to create a pattern that hints at the lifestyle of dog owners – a motif that could be used as an allover print on a bag and other fabrics,” explains Peet.

Peet approached this challenge through a deep dive into the imagery of dogs in an African context, exploring their presence in ancient Egyptian art, indigenous rock paintings, colonial history, and contemporary branding. “Dogs and imagery of dogs have stepped in and out of many cultures in Africa and have influenced the visual culture around us with profoundness,” he notes. His research unearthed the profound ways dogs have influenced visual culture across time, often shifting between symbolic, functional, and deeply personal roles in people’s lives.

For the project, the designer opted for a soft palette that felt inviting and approachable. “The idea was to focus on the playfulness and massive influence of dogs rather than the security and hunting side,” says Peet. The resulting design captures the spirit of playfulness, interwoven with deep cultural narratives.

As with much of his work, Peet embeds layers of meaning within his designs. This pattern serves as a visual cypher, referencing the deep cultural significance of dogs across Africa. “For this design, I’m using this as a foundation and gathering visual references from various sources. My aim is to visually demonstrate the interconnectedness of cultures through historical and cultural influences, even though for some it might just look like a fun afternoon with dogs,” he explains.

While you might not be able to get your paws on the special VIP Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025 bags (unless you are a VIP), you can stop by the Chommies stand over the weekend and pick up something special for your furry friend – the brand will be debuting its brand-new colourways in the iconic Mother City Collection. | chommies.com

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What to See at Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025

Gina Beretta — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0000

The 12th edition of Investec Cape Town Art Fair, taking place from 21 to 23 February, celebrates more than a decade of being the city’s premier visual, contemporary art event. Here’s some of what we’re most excited to see.

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Anton Scholtz

Hosted again at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025 celebrates art, and creativity, and gives art lovers the chance to explore over 124 exhibitors, including first-time participants from Tokyo, Kampala, and Kuwait City.

This year’s over-arching theme is PLAY. “Interrogating the dynamics of experimentation, the 12th edition of Investec Cape Town Art Fair: PLAY bases its thematic framework around play as action, play your role, play as curiosity, play as the inherent human desire to create,” says fair director Laura Vincenti. “Through PLAY, Investec Cape Town Art Fair offers a space where the boundaries between creator and viewer are fluid, and where art itself becomes a living, interactive experience.”

The fair will once again extend well beyond the CTICC, where the main exhibition is held, into the city of Cape Town to include its leading galleries, museums and other cultural institutions in a region-wide week-long festival of art providing visitors with an opportunity to explore the city through its art and experience its richness as a cultural destination.

Participating Galleries

Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025 welcomes more than 30 new exhibitors (including galleries from Europe, the US, and other African countries outside of South Africa), including 11 new South African galleries. Click on the sections below to view the full lists.

Local Galleries

Highlights from Barnard Gallery’s Exhibit at Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Gina Beretta — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0000

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied

Barnard Gallery has been participating in the Investec Cape Town Art Fair since its inception in 2013 and will once again present a stunning collection of works for its 11th edition.

Barnard Gallery’s showcase at the fair will highlight paintings and photographs from both primary and secondary markets. The works primarily delve into diverse narratives that explore the concepts of identity, memory, and geography within a changing socio-political African context.

Richard Mudariki

Collectors will have a rare opportunity to view and acquire the artist’s expansive and sought after 2018 canvas titled ‘Reform, Format, Scan’ created on location at Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa during the artist’s residency fellowship in 2018. In addition to this the artist has produced another signature and satirical work for the event titled ‘At the Shebeen in Cape Town’. This painting is a reinterpretation of Édouard Manet’s ‘A Bar at the Folies-Bergère (1882). It captures the lively and intricate culture of the Shabeen, depicting a visual story that reflects both the past and present commentary on alcohol, politics, and societal dynamics in South Africa’s townships.

Mohau Modisakeng

In his large and iconic photograph titled ‘Diatola’ (2014), the Sowetan-born artist explores the idea of visual narrative. Citing the influence of his mother, a ‘prophetess’, his images invoke dreams and visions that become markers of a personal and collective memory intertwined with the violent legacies of South Africa’s troubled past and the resulting deep divides of the post-apartheid present.

Justin Dingwall

Photographer and artist Justin Dingwall juxtaposes elements of contemporary African fashion photography with hand-made textile components, creating exquisite and intriguing portraits that reference and challenge past ethnographic images.

Tshepiso Seleke

Tshepiso Seleke, an upcoming photographer from Johannesburg, has captured the social and economic status of black lives in his series called ‘Sowetan’. The photos aim to give voice to the marginalised community where he lives and works. Through his pictures, Seleke shows solidarity with his subjects and portrays them as strong and sincere.

Jaco van Schalkwyk

In his painting, titled ‘Bleu de Hue’, Johannesburg-based artist Jaco van Schalkwyk presents the viewer with a large monochromatic landscape that explores the possibility of an otherworldly or alternate landscape – a subtle but timeous comment on the current state of man’s relationship to this place we call ‘home’. In conversation with Van Schalkwyk’s landscape paintings, award winning lens based artist Lien Botha presents photographic dioramas that investigate notions of preservation and display in the context of natural history museums.

Peter Eastman

The artist’s ongoing body of work, titled Deep Chine, which simply means deep valley or kloof, references a particular piece of land in the Southern Cape that he first visited during his childhood, a place he periodically returns to. The landscape of this specific area is always in flux as it grows, its fragile sandstone cliffs eroding and collapsing, subtly changing the same space upon each visit. Eastman’s paintings are done in two tones, a dark background and light foreground, and as such are in effect paintings of light reflected in this dark forested valley.

Tom Cullberg

The detailed panel paintings and hand-made objects of Swedish-born South African artist Tom Cullberg explore both fictitious story telling as well as real or recorded histories. With humour and wit his paintings consider processes of association and recognition in the reading of both private and public narratives. Housed in his now signature glass-fronted cabinets these installations reiterate a familiar form in art history: the cabinet of curiosity. That said, Cullberg’s installations hew to a more contemporary and impressionistic tradition of cabinets created by private individuals to enshrine personal experience.

Alexia Vogel

Alexia Vogel has been refining her signature visual language in her recent works. While her previous work was heavily influenced by floral and tropical motifs, her latest pieces have distilled these themes into a more abstract form. Her bold canvases and works on paper feature brushstrokes that hold significant meaning, and each mark made becomes an event in and of itself. Previously directed by her process, such as the spontaneous flow of paint on canvas and instinctual gestures, Vogel now brings the physicality and movement of paint to the forefront of her work.

Paul Senyol

Paul Senyol’s energetic and playful paintings are a crafted response to his wonderings through various land and cityscapes. The colours and textures of urban and natural environments inform his spontaneous practice in the studio where every material he uses – acrylics, pastels, ink, pencils and spray paint – is chosen for the particular mark it can contribute to a finished composition.

Jo Hummel

Towards abstraction the work of British artist Jo Hummel is characterised by a painted and paper collaged surface on which she employs spontaneous variations of space, colour and form. Speaking about the making of the work, Hummel describes her chosen material (paper) as domestic and ephemeral. Her paintings are built up in layers and with joinery, often revealing fault lines and scars. For her the action of making is an essential ritual used to make sense of, and fuse her internal and external environments.

Jennifer Morrison

Moving further into the realm of abstraction the paintings of London-based South African artist Jennifer Morrison project a preoccupation with colour, texture, form and the richness and flexibility of oil paint. They are unapologetically fierce in their celebration of the process of painting wherein the medium and method of their making is itself the message. Having explored the language of abstraction in painting for decades she is drawn to the relationship of one colour to another, mark making and the quality of brushstrokes. Morrison’s swirling, gestural marks are immediate and direct and challenge the viewers expectation of a painting: Telling a story is not her objective; it is the visual, emotional, intuitive impact and experience that is central to her practice.

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Art Unbound

Gina Beretta — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0000

WORDS Gina Dionisio

What to see Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2024 – the largest contemporary art fair in Africa.

A convergence of global and local creativity, this year’s Investec Cape Town Art Fair (ICTAF) promises an eclectic tapestry of exhibitions, discussions, and experiences that transcend boundaries. Taking place from 16th – 18th February 2024 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), the much-anticipated 11th edition of ICTAF invites patrons to immerse themselves in a whirlwind of cultural exploration.

Embracing the theme of ‘Unbound’, the curated sections of the 2024 fair strive to liberate art from constrictive narratives, amplifying diverse voices and igniting new realms of imagination.

WORLDART, Geena Wilkinson, Choice Assorted VI, Hand-Cast Ceramic Biscuits, 2022

Fabulous first-time features will join the lineup of favourite talks, walkabouts, parties, tours and opportunities to explore the Mother City’s art ecosystem, including the Yawa Off White Capsule and Lukhanyo Mdingi collab (the first of its kind at the fair), the brand-new focus on ceramics and GENERATIONS, a debut section featuring cross-generational dialogues between artists. For the first time, five emerging artists selected from twenty artists who have been through the City of Cape Town’s Emerging Artists Programme will be represented by a dedicated booth curated by curator Igsaan Martin. Additionally, Bo Kaap is set to bind the city with an activation which speaks to the theme of Unbound.

Here are the unmissable highlights that define this year’s spectacle, each a testament to the fair’s evolution and commitment to pushing artistic boundaries:

Fired Up

Get ready to be mesmerised by the ancient art of ceramics at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair. ‘Cabinet|Clay’ brings together a stellar lineup of artists, from the esteemed Ian Garrett to contemporary feminist voice Frances Goodman, each shaping clay into narratives that resonate with modernity. Dive into the world of Madoda Fani, Chuma Maweni, and Clive Sithole, as they redefine tradition with every stroke. Join the conversation with Michal Korycki and other visionaries as they explore clay’s boundless possibilities.

A New GENERATION

Witness the birth of intergenerational dialogue at this year’s fair with Generations. Curators Natasha Becker and Amogelang Maledu orchestrate a symphony of voices, from the iconic Esther Mahlangu to emerging talents like Bonolo Kavula. Explore the intersections of past and present as artists from Rorke’s Drift engage with contemporary visionaries, forging connections that transcend time.

What’s the ALTernative?

Step into the unconventional realm of ALT and witness art in its rawest form. From 16 Lerotholi to Untitled, delve into projects that defy convention and redefine artistic expression. Explore the diverse, innovative, and alternative universe that pulsates within and around the continent, breaking free from traditional paradigms.

Off the WALL

Embark on a journey through South African modernism with WALL. From the revolutionary palettes of Gregoire Boonzaier to the mystical icons of Larry Scully, experience a kaleidoscope of artistic innovation. Let the narratives of Sam Nhelengethwa, Sydney Kumalo, and Mary Sibanda weave a tapestry of South Africa’s rich artistic heritage.

Global Gathering

Experience a grand convergence of global creativity at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair. From Romina Ressia to Yinka Shonibare, artists from 50 countries unite under one roof, transcending borders and ideologies. Immerse yourself in a melting pot of emerging trends and cultural insights, shaping the future of contemporary art.

It’s a Material World

Explore the breathtaking world of material-driven artistry at the fair. From fabric and textiles to sculpted rubber, artists like Nicholas Hlobo and Usha Seejarim redefine creativity with every stroke. Discover the unexpected beauty in mundane objects and unravel the unique methodologies that fuel their artistic vision.

Fashion Forward + Retail Therapy

Indulge in a sensory extravaganza with Black Coffee, Themba, and Arie Fabian’s fashion platform, Yawa. From limited-edition capsules to exclusive artist ranges, experience artistry in every stitch. Dive into the world of Lukhanyo Mdingi and Virgil Abloh, where creativity knows no bounds.

Through the Lens: Capturing the Essence of Contemporary Africa

Witness the transformative power of photography in shaping contemporary African art. From Jürgen Schadeberg to Sarfo Emmanuel Annor, explore the myriad perspectives that define our cultural landscape. Let the lens of innovation guide you through a world where tradition meets modernity.

Cultural Connections: Nurturing Artistic Ecosystems

Celebrate the vibrant tapestry of Cape Town’s cultural institutions at the fair. From the Norval Foundation to the Lalela Project, witness the transformative impact of art on society. Engage with educational projects and exhibitions that foster cross-cultural understanding and ignite creative innovation.

Bo-Kaap and Beyond

Immerse yourself in the historic charm of Bo-Kaap with captivating pop-up exhibitions and performances. Explore the city’s rich artistic heritage through the lens of international galleries and local talents. Join the reimagining of Cape Town’s history and embark on a journey of cultural discovery.

Talks and Walks

Engage in thought-provoking conversations and guided walkabouts at the fair. From debates to presentations, delve into the heart of contemporary art with artists, curators, and collectors. Navigate the diverse offerings of the fair and gain invaluable insights into the artists and artworks on display.

The Walkabouts Programme

The Walkabouts Programme, curated by Art School Africa, will feature walkabouts by Dr Mariella Franzoni (curator of Tomorrows/ Today), Sean O’Toole (curator of SOLO), Phokeng Setai and Alex Richards (co-founders of Exhibition Match), Natasha Becker and Amogelang Maledu (co-curators of the new GENERATIONS section), Alice Toich (Artist), Max Melvill (Creative), Karabo Morule (Entrepreneur) and Andrew Lamprecht (Curator).

Investec Cape Town Art Fair takes place from 16th-18th February 2024 at the CTICC and around the city. For more info and tickets, visit investeccapetownartfair.co.za.

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Officine Gullo Opens its First Showroom in South Africa

Gina Beretta — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000

WORDS Gina Dionisio

Luxury Italian kitchen brand, Officine Gullo, has opened its first South African showroom on Strand Street in the heart of Cape Town. To celebrate the launch, the showroom will also serve as an ICTAF exhibition space for Southern Guild showcasing the work of local artist Conrad Hicks.

Officine Gullo‘s first showroom on South African soil, which opened its doors on 15 February, is expected to quickly establish itself as a destination for members of the local design community and professionals in the luxury interior industry. The new showroom will not only be an important showcase for the South African market, but it will also represent a strategic location of great importance for the rest of Africa, where industry professionals can meet and exchange ideas.

“Besides being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town is globally recognised as a contemporary design hub, making it a desirable destination for Officine Gullo,” says Andrea Gullo, General Director, Officine Gullo.

To celebrate the opening and their partnership with the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Officine Gullo has collaborated with Southern Guild to showcase the work of critically-acclaimed artist and blacksmith Conrad Hicks.

“We believe in the creative power of collaboration and welcome partnerships which showcase South Africa’s makers, artisans and artists,” says Trevyn McGowan, co-founder of Southern Guild. “Our expanding gallery programme celebrates the ingenuity of the human hand and the labour-intensive processes that elevate the prosaic to the sublime. Hicks’ resolute approach to materiality and craftsmanship aligns with the singular design ethos of Officine Gullo.”

Conrad’s works have a synergy with Officine Gullo, which is celebrated for its bespoke solutions, offering a wide range of customisable compositions, colours and finishes, that promise to reflect the uniqueness of each design.

The showroom will display items from all main Officine Gullo collections, and will boast two complete kitchens, featuring products from the Tailor Made and Contemporanea collections. Various cooking ranges, appliances and accessories will also be on exhibition to the public.

Conrad Hick’s work will be on show at the Officine Gullo Cape Town Showroom, located at 94 Strand Street, from 15 February to 15 March 2023 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm). For more information, visit officinegullo.com.

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Q&A with Artist Alexia Vogel

Gina Beretta — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000

INTERVIEW Alastair Whitton⁣ PHOTOS Courtesy of the Barnard Gallery

Berlin-based South African artist Alexia Vogel‘s latest work might be her most abstract and introspective collection to date. Cape Town-based Art Director and curator Alastair Whitton⁣ sat down to talk with Alexia ahead of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair and her‎ new solo‎ exhibition Strange Light.

Since graduating from the Michaelis School of Fine Art in 2013 you have presented six solo exhibitions including a solo booth presentation at the FNB Joburg Art Fair in 2015. Perhaps you could share something of your practice and how you go about birthing and developing a new body of work for each solo show?

My practice has always been very process driven, each painting is born out of spontaneity, gestural mark making and the fall of paint on the canvas or paper. The composition slowly gets pulled out of the surface, marks are accentuated by being brought forward or pushed back.

I think each exhibition is developed in a similar way. I often make smaller paper works to start, sometimes they are watercolour monotypes or oil paintings and they act as a starting point for larger works on canvas.

I never start a body of work with a central idea or concept, that comes later once I have had time to think about the works and where they are heading. It is quite an interesting process, often personal, and ends up exposing moments or emotions from my own life.

Although your work has always referenced the natural world, albeit somewhat obliquely, it would appear in this new body of work that paint and process predominate. Arts writer Charis de Kock, in her exhibition text for your upcoming show ‘Strange Light’ at Barnard Gallery in Cape Town, notes that this is your “most abstract collection to date” and interestingly also your “most introspective”. Perhaps you could respond to her insight and articulate your relationship to the notion of abstraction as well as how your recent relocation to Berlin may have informed this new body of work?

As mentioned above, the idea of the body of work comes only once I am really in the thick of things and most of the paintings have been completed. The introspection is an important part of the process and probably the most difficult part because it illuminates a lot about myself to me.

Moving to Berlin has been a big challenge, and I’ve struggled a bit with the change. Moving further into abstraction happened quite naturally, I was painting very jungley paper works when I first arrived in Berlin and it somehow didn’t feel quite right. I had left my home, where I was often immersed in nature and moved to a very energetic, gritty city and my imaginative jungle references suddenly felt quite foreign.

The work moved to a more floaty, abstraction- reflecting an in between state almost like being underwater and a bit out of place. My marks referred less to foliage and I ended up allowing them to just be brush marks or echoes of them.

The natural world hasn’t disappeared completely, I think it will always form part of my subject, but now I work in a way that is a bit more abstracted. We are no longer looking at a landscape or into the distance; now we are smack bang in the middle of something a lot more intangible; a memory of a landscape, a feeling of it or the light that could be passing through it.

I have had the privilege of being privy to your practice for a decade. I recall, on first encounter, being captivated and almost mesmerised by the powerful immersive quality of your paintings. Seemingly a characteristic feature of your work, this attribute has developed over time and continues to permeate your paintings. Do you consider this an innate trait of your work or is it something you have consciously and actively worked at achieving?

I always hope to make works that are immersive, that has been a goal of mine since learning about Claude Monet’s Les Nymphéas, and it was entrenched once I had the opportunity to visit them myself at Musée de l’Orangerie. I have found that achieving an immersive quality happens both intuitively by gestural mark making, and consciously by learning and understanding my medium. The painting process and the way that I allow the paint to flow is a very immersive experience and one I hope gets translated through the works themselves.

You have spoken of your admiration for a number of the modern masters, in particular the French painter Claude Monet, as well as various contemporary painters including British artist Peter Doig. How important is the idea of ‘painterly lineage’ to you as an artist and to what extent do you feel this informs your own work?

Very important! There is nothing better than being ignited and inspired when seeing delicious paintings that make you want to run back to the studio and pick up your brush.

Painting is really tough, sometimes the energy for it is lost and it gets tiresome and frustrating. Like any career, there are burn outs and moments where you feel you don’t want to do it anymore, and I think looking at other artists and what they are making or have made is really helpful in fueling the passion.

In 2018 you were awarded a residency by the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art at their European premises in St. Emilion, France and you are about to embark on a journey to Japan where you will be learning the ancient art of Mokuhanga – traditional water-based woodblock printing. How integral are residency programs to an artist’s development and what are you hoping to gain from your upcoming time in Japan?

I think It is important to be taken out of your comfort zone and be given new parameters to work within; new spaces, new techniques and new people are integral in informing shifts and growth for an artists practice and opens it up to so many more possibilities. I think residencies or courses are a fantastic space to allow a shift in perspective.

Moments of uncertainty, newness or change encourage one to play and that is something that I really value and am excited about.

The Mokuhanga workshop will not only be an opportunity to learn a new technique but also a chance to be completely immersed in the Japanese culture and learn about the tradition of wood block printing at its source.

Strange Light will be on display at the Barnard Gallery from 23 February to 04 April 2023, and at the Investec Cape Town Art fair from 17 – 19 February 2023.

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What to See at the 2023 Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Gina Beretta — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 04:30:00 +0000

WORDS Cheri Morris PHOTOS Stephanie Veldman

This year the Investec Cape Town Art Fair taking place from 17 to 19 February celebrates a decade of being the city’s premier visual, contemporary art event and features 135 new artists, here’s some of what we’re most excited to see.

A whole world of art

The art fair today is a combination of local and international exhibitors, bringing home the best of both. Expect representation of galleries from across Southern Africa and sub-Saharan centres, including Angola, Tunisia, and Ivory Coast, as well as those from Europe and further afield.

Timewarped curation

The theme for the 2023 Investec Cape Town Art Fair is the notion of time and see top curators forefront an investigation of the passage of experience – both personal and societal – putting time into a prism of arresting perspectives. Among those appointed are independent curator Natasha Becker (San Francisco, USA), art adviser and curator Dr. Mariella Franzoni (Barcelona, Spain), local writer Sean O’Toole (Cape Town, South Africa) and art dealer and adviser, João Ferreira (Lagos, Portugal).

SOLO

SOLO, a special section of the Fair, spotlights emerging and mid-career artists, both local and imported, through curated solo presentations. From its first iteration, when the special feature explored the effects of the digital world on lived realities and art-making, it has taken audiences through the inner workings of a generation of artists who are altering the landscape of art the world over.

Tomorrows/Today and forever

Officially titled In and Out of Time, the theme of the 2023 Investec Cape Town Art Fair is woven together across the main exhibitions, where curators Natasha Becker and Dr. Mariella Franzoni explore Maya Angelou’s, a poem about everlasting love and suffering.

Tomorrows/Today & forever engages with the link between our bodies, minds and social environment; or the affective dimension of our experiences of time, memory, history, imagination, action, and desire. Artists in this section include Joana Choumali (Côte d’Ivoire) of Gallery 1957, Gino Rubert (Mexico) of LAB36+Galeria Senda, Cassi Namoda (Mozambique) of Goodman Gallery, Deborah Segun (Nigeria) of Bode Projects, Talia Ramkilawan (South Africa) of BKhz Gallery, Githan Coopoo (South Africa) of Everard Read Gallery, Micha Serraf (Zimbabwe) of C24 Gallery, Shamilla Aasha (Zimbabwe) of First Floor Gallery Harare, Carla Hayes (Spain) of Reiners Contemporary Art and Rosie Mudge (South Africa) of SMAC Gallery.

ALTernative art for a digitised world

The ALT section – a dedication to projects that reflect the many ways in which the art world had to adapt under COVID – made its debut in 2022. For 2023 ALT continues its ode to anti-booth formats and exhibitions that reflect the symbiotic relationship between technological change and art.

DMCs

The 2023 Talks Programme features a series of stimulating panel discussions that explore the regional contemporary art scenes and the impact that contemporary African art is having on the diaspora and beyond. The conversations are not limited to fine art practitioners, but also include the experiences of cultural figures, architects, critics and educators.

Behind the scenes

Guided walkabout tours curated by Art School South Africa offer a chance for visitors to see the fair through the eyes of curators, academics, artists and gallerists. Join to hear the theme of time extrapolated and hear histories and anecdotes about what’s on the walls and what’s in the fair.

Gallery Night City Sightseeing

Gallery Night takes the art fair beyond the venue, offering fairgoers a fuller view of Cape Town’s visual art scene. Jump on a City Sightseeing double decker bus from the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Friday, 17 February, and enjoy an epic evening of gallery hopping from the city bowl to Woodstock. Buses are available to all ticket holders of the fair.

The 2023 Investec Cape Town Art Fair will run from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 February at the Cape Town International Conference Centre from 11h00 to 19h00. Tickets can be purchased via Webtickets.

For more information, visit investeccapetownartfair.co.za.

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Southern Guild at Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2022

Gina Beretta — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0000

WORDS Cheri Morris PHOTOS Southern Guild

Southern Guild returns to the Investec Cape Town Art Fair in 2022 with a vast collection of multidisciplinary fine art works delivered by some of the most prolific and promising artists on the continent.

The Southern Guild booth promises to be a true exploration of the confluence of fine art and collectable design. Expect an extensive exhibition of paintings, ceramics, sculpture, functional art and the gallery’s first NFT work by Justine Mahoney – a piece based on the French mythological figure Mélusine.

Among the artists whose work will be presented are Navel Seakamela, Patrick Bongoy, Jozua Gerrard and Nandipha Mntambo who will be presenting her first collection of functional sculptures, ‘Transcending Instinct’. Additionally, several significant ceramic artworks by the likes of Andile Dyalvane, Zizipho Poswa, Madoda Fani and Chuma Maweni will feature.

Following the gallery’s success at Design Miami in December, Dyalvane, Poswa, Fani and Maweni will exhibit large-scale new works that lend an honourary nod to their cultural heritage, personal narratives and interests. Among these are monumental works by Poswa, glazed and painted in her signature exuberant colour, that form part of her Magodi series celebrating the majesty of traditional African hairstyles.

Seakamela, whose emotive portraits explore the tender side of masculinity, will show new mixed-media works on paper while emerging artist Jozua Gerrard’s series of large enamel paintings on glass reflects on intimacy in an age stolen by social media. Patrick Bongoy will debut a six-metre-wide wall-hanging painstakingly woven from strips of recycled rubber, while Dominique Zinkpé will present three abstract sculptures made from assemblages of carved wooden Ibeji dolls.

Other works making their debut include a bronze bust by Otto du Plessis; a bronze and timber table, etched brass panel and bronze sculpture by Stanislaw Trzebinski; a patinated aluminium mirror in a black granite base by Jesse Ede and Rich Mnisi’s Nyoka (“Snake”) console.

The Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2022 is on from 18 – 20 February 2022. For more information on what to expect at, go here.

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