As the Investec Cape Town Art Fair approaches this weekend, February 21 to 23, 2025, art enthusiasts and collectors are enlivened with anticipation. The largest contemporary art fair in Africa is a gathering unlike any other. It is a place where art comes alive, connecting people through creativity, heritage, and shared experience.
This year’s theme, “PLAY,” invites attendees to engage with art in a dynamic and interactive manner. As fair director Laura Vincenti eloquently puts it, this theme emphasizes the fluidity between artists and audiences, transforming the experience into a collaborative exploration of ideas.
With 124 exhibitors from around the globe, including newcomers from Tokyo, Kampala, and Kuwait City, the fair flaunts a wide range of contemporary art that reflects both local narratives and international dialogues. This year features 30 first-time exhibitors, making it a landmark moment for the fair and a fantastic opportunity for collectors to discover fresh talent.
Curated Highlights
The curated sections promise to bring unique insights into contemporary practices, they include:
- SOLO: Curated by Céline Seror, this section focuses on whimsical experimentation with the theme “PLAYSCAPES: Shaping Worlds and Selves.” Expect thought-provoking installations that challenge conventional boundaries.
- Generations: This section will be curated by Egyptian curator Heba El Kayal, spotlighting emerging voices in the art scene.
- Lookout: A brand-new segment dedicated to galleries that have been operating for under five years, providing a platform for new perspectives.
- Tomorrows/Today: Curated by Dr Mariella Franzoni, Tomorrows/Today 2025 is centred around the question of what it means to embrace an aesthetic of play within the verticals of contemporary art practice. The section will feature the work of Thando Phenyane, titled "Part Black, Part Anomaly." The work is a response to Frantz Fanon's Black Skin, White Masks, which explores the psychological effects of colonization on Black people.
- Cabinet: Returning for its second iteration, this series will explore the concept of trophies in art through the lens of curation by Exhibition Match (Alexander Richards and Dr. Phokeng Setai).
- Editions: This section will spotlight leading print galleries and workshops specializing in prints, multiples, and editions. Visitors can expect to see a variety of works that highlight both traditional techniques like lithography and contemporary digital processes.
- Emerging Artist Programme: After a successful debut last year, this stand returns to showcase rising talent and nurture new creative voices. Designed to support new talent, it will provide a platform for emerging artists to gain visibility.
- Magazines and Publications: This displays magazines, books, journals and catalogues presented by publishers from around the world with a focus on art, which this weekend will host the likes of House & Leisure, The Manor, Your Luxury Africa, Art Times, Chimurenga, as well as Clarke’s Books in collaboration with Jonathan Ball Publication.
- Connect Cultural Section: Viewers can expect to experience the synergy of culture and creativity through collaborations with Norval Foundation, Zeitz MOCAA, Lalela, the Western Cape Education Department, and the City of Cape Town.
Beyond the Fair: Unbound City
The excitement doesn’t stop at the CTICC. The Unbound City public program will activate Cape Town’s inner city with a series of events designed to engage the community. From guided art walks to panel discussions featuring prominent voices in the African art market, attendees can indulge themselves in a rich concave of artistic dialogue.
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