Cape Town is set to welcome the 12th edition of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, the largest art event on the African continent, bringing together over 120 galleries and 300 artists from 58 countries. Running from Friday, 21 February to Sunday, 23 February 2025 at the CTICC, the fair continues to position the Mother City as a global art hub, drawing over 30,000 visitors annually.
A platform for contemporary art, the fair connects galleries, collectors, curators, and artists, highlighting the thriving visual arts scene in Cape Town. This year, more than 40 local galleries will participate, showcasing a diverse range of artistic expressions and celebrating the city’s growing influence in the art world.
City of Cape Town’s Commitment to the Arts
Alderman JP Smith, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, emphasized Cape Town’s role in nurturing artistic talent: ‘Cape Town’s visual art sector has flourished due to sustained investment in galleries and an increasing demand for African art. Through various projects led by the Arts and Culture branch and the Events Department, we aim to further grow this sector. Our partnership with the Investec Cape Town Art Fair supports this mission and elevates our city’s art scene to an international stage.’
Spotlight on Emerging Artists
As part of its ongoing support for young creatives, the City of Cape Town’s Emerging Artist Programme (EAP) will feature five promising local artists at this year’s fair. The EAP provides training, mentorship, networking, and exhibition opportunities for under-resourced artists at the start of their careers.
Meet the Featured Artists:
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Reece Atkins explores the intersection of vehicle design, sculpture, and indigenous heritage, using copic markers, spray paint, and acrylics to merge precolonial traditions with contemporary colored culture.
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Susanna Neunast combines photography with geometric acrylic glass overlays to highlight the importance of water and natural balance, inspired by mathematical patterns found in nature.
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Aerin Dyason creates minimalist abstract portraits emphasizing creativity and imperfection, drawing inspiration from artists like Basquiat, Warhol, and Haring.
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Edinah Chagwedera tackles mental health awareness in Black youth through painting and sculpture, using red balloons as symbols of hidden struggles behind outward appearances.
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Liano Braaf specializes in graphite, charcoal, and mixed media, producing intricate works that reflect personal and societal themes, while also aspiring to open his own gallery.
Beyond the Exhibition
The fair extends beyond the CTICC with citywide events, including guided gallery walkabouts, museum showcases, and the after-hours Art Hub at The Gin Bar on Wale Street, featuring a dynamic line-up of local DJs from 19:00 onwards.
Tickets for the Investec Cape Town Art Fair are available via Webtickets. For more details on the Emerging Artist Programme and other cultural events in Cape Town, visit www.eventsincapetown.com.