The Investec Cape Town Art Fair returns to the CTICC this week. The City-sponsored event has become a key platform where the African art market connects with the global art scene. Read more below:
The 12th edition of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair will spotlight over 120 galleries from the Mother City, South Africa, Africa and around the world.
Starting on Friday, 21 February 2025, the event will also showcase the work of more than 300 artists from diverse global backgrounds, providing an exciting platform for art lovers and collectors.
With a collection of art from 58 countries and more than 30 000 visitors annually, the Investec Cape Town Art Fair is Africa’s largest art event.
It serves as a platform for galleries, collectors, curators, and artists to connect at the forefront of contemporary art, offering an unparalleled opportunity to be part of the growing African art scene.
The Mother City’s thriving art scene will be at the forefront, with over 40 Cape Town-based galleries participating in the showcase.
‘Cape Town’s visual art sector has been on the rise over the last decade because of positive developments in the exciting local scene, investment in new galleries and an increase in demand for African art. Through several projects led by the Arts and Culture branch, and various initiatives supported by the Events Department, the City of Cape Town’s intention is to contribute to the sector’s further growth over the coming years. Our support for the Investec Cape Town Art Fair forms part of this broader strategy, and we are grateful for the event’s contribution in elevating the Cape Town art scene to the global stage,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
The City’s partnership with the fair will see five emerging creatives from the Arts and Culture branch’s Emerging Artist Programme (EAP) exhibit their work, while learning from industry experts and gaining valuable exposure in the process.
The EAP supports under-resourced artists in the early stages of their careers by providing training, mentorship, networking opportunities, and exhibition platforms.
The five artists include:
Reece Atkins, a graduate of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s three-Dimensional/Product Design
‘My artwork mainly focuses on the surface design/sculpture of vehicles and objects, as well as paying homage to our local favourites and tuner/modified cars. I also like to explore my indigenous heritage in my work by re-imagining precolonial life and highlighting the contrast between the traditional Khoi vs contemporary coloured culture and physical features.
As a medium, I like to use copic markers, spray paint and a bit of acrylic, due to my design studies and high school passion for graffiti.’
Susanna Neunast has studied and previously worked in philosophy, art history, graphic design and marketing management
‘My multi-layered work explores the significance of water in our daily lives and for the environmental challenges we are facing. It refocuses on the importance of nature.
I am inspired by the physical and mathematical laws that originate in nature and determine everything that surrounds us.
Nature has the perfect proportion and perfect movement that I capture in my photographic work as an abstract painting. On the photo of reflecting water surfaces, I add a layer of acrylic glass in a geometric shape that partially covers the photo. Together, this three-dimensional collage forms a new impression of nature.’
Aerin Dyason is a Cape Town-based artist known for creating abstract portraits with minimalist line work.
‘The meaning behind my work and art represents that we should have fun with what we create and bring to life. We shouldn’t stress about the finer details because nothing in life is perfect; it’s about what we make of it. My intention behind my art is to show that you can be anything you want to be. Some of my inspirations are Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Keith Haring. I love how they use bold colours and lines in their art, and I hope to be a household name just like them.’
Edinah Chagwedera is a graduate of the Woodstock-based Ruth Prowse School of Art
Her work is centred on the mental health struggles of Black youth, using art as a powerful tool to challenge stigmas and foster dialogue around these often-overlooked issues. Through both painting and sculpture, Edinah confronts themes of identity, vulnerability, and resilience.
In her sculptural work, she employs air-drying clay to craft figures adorned in contemporary, fashionable clothing — an intentional contrast between outward presentation and internal struggle. Each figure holds a red balloon, strategically placed to obscure their face, symbolising the hidden burdens of mental health challenges and the societal pressures to maintain an untroubled exterior.
Liano Braaf is a visual artist with expertise in graphite, charcoal and mixed media
Since matriculating in 2023, Liano has fully immersed himself in his artistic practice. He has been actively creating and selling his artwork, using Instagram as a platform to share his work and connect with a broader audience. His art is characterised by a bold use of colour, intricate detailing, and themes that reflect both personal experiences and broader societal narratives.
With aspirations of becoming a professional artist, Liano envisions opening his own gallery in the future — a space that not only showcases his work, but also provides opportunities for emerging artists like himself. He is committed to making a meaningful impact in the art world, using his creativity to inspire and uplift others.
The Investec Cape Town Art Fair runs until Sunday, 23 February 2025 at the CTICC.
As part of its programme, the fair will also host talks, walkabout sessions in some of the city’s galleries, and museum shows. It will also host an after-hours Art Hub with an electrifying line-up of local DJs, starting at 19:00 at The Gin Bar on Wale Street.
Tickets for the Cape Town Art Fair are available through Webtickets.
Information on the Emerging Artist Programme can be found here.
For more information on this and other events hosted in Cape Town, visit www.eventsincapetown.com
