Investec Cape Town Art Fair: Africa’s biggest art showcase

7 reasons to come (again) to Africa’s biggest contemporary art fair

Last updated: 15 December 2022

The Investec Cape Town Art Fair is Africa’s biggest contemporary art gathering and Cape Town’s cultural event of the year. On from 17 to 19 February 2023, it will showcase 128 new artists; 99 exhibitors; bring art experts, dealers, curators and journalists; and more than 23 000 visitors and 6 000 VIP guests to the CTICC. The best part? You don’t need to know about art or buy anything to discover something special, and tickets start at just R150. Here are some of the reasons why you should come (again).

Don’t miss the 10th Investec Cape Town Art Fair in 2023. Image: Investec Cape Town Art Fair

IT’S GLOBAL + AFRICAN CONTEMPORARY ART  

The Investec Cape Town Art Fair, now in its 10th year, is where the local and international art worlds meet, with galleries from South Africa, Angola, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Botswana, France, Germany, Turkey, the USA, Italy, Portugal, Egypt and more participating – so you’ll be spoilt for choice if you’re looking to discover new artists or add to your collection.

SA artist Kimathi Mafafo is one of the 128 new artists participating. Image: Investec Cape Town Art Fair
 

YOU CAN START YOUR OWN ART COLLECTION

You don’t need to spend a fortune to start collecting art. The Tomorrows/Today section of the fair is where you’ll find up-and-coming artists, and where prices are likely to be suited to starting small. There’s also the ALT section, where young and non-traditional exhibitors will show the work of their artists.

Mexican artist Gino Rubert’s works will be in the Tomorrows/Today section of the fair. Image:  Investec Cape Town Art Fair

IT EXPLORES A RELEVANT TOPIC FOR ALL

The theme of the fair is officially In and Out of Time and the 99 exhibitors will delve into the notion of time, with works related to the past, present and future. Some of the world’s leading art experts, dealers, journalists and curators will come together to put the concept of time into perspective.

An exploration of time, through art. Image: Investec Cape Town Art Fair

YOU CAN GO ON A GUIDED ART TOUR

Take your art fair experience up a notch with a guided tour, which gives you the chance to see the fair in a different light – through the eyes of curators, academics, artists and gallerists. Hear the stories behind what’s on the walls and in the fair, and learn more about the theme of time. 

A guided tour tells you more about what you’re seeing. Image: Investec Cape Town Art Fair

OR TAKE A VISUAL-ART BUS TOUR

On the first evening of the fair – Friday, 17 February – you’ll have the opportunity to go beyond the Cape Town International Convention Centre and onto the streets to experience more of Cape Town’s visual art scene. Hop on a City Sightseeing double decker bus for Gallery Night, an evening of gallery hopping from the City Bowl to Woodstock.

Explore local galleries on a bus tour. Image: CapeTownMag

IT’S A CHANCE NETWORK 

Art fairs are great networking opportunities, even if you’re not on the art scene. With 23 000 visitors expected from around the city, country and world, who knows who you might make a connection with? Whether you go with a group or go alone, don’t be shy – talk to exhibitors and ask questions to get the most out of your experience. 

Art fairs are great meeting places, too. Image: Investec Cape Town Art Fair

IT’S A TIME TO TALK ABOUT ART’S IMPACT 

There’ll also be a series of panel discussions happening at the fair called Conversations – these will look at South Africa’s regional contemporary art scenes, and the impact that contemporary African art is having. The conversations will include the experiences of cultural figures, architects, critics and educators.

How is art impacting SA? Image: Investec Cape Town Art Fair

THERE’LL BE 6000 VIP GUESTS 

VIPs get a personalised experience at the fair. There’s a VIP relations team to help connect you with collectors, galleries, art enthusiasts and institutions across the globe. VIPs have an exciting programme of events at the CTICC and throughout the city.

• There’s the VIP Preview Day on 16 February 2023. Strictly by invitation only.
• The VIP Programme will be live in early January 2023.
• For more information contact the head of VIP and Business Development sophie@fieramilano.co.za
  
  

WHEN + WHERE TO GO 

Investec Cape Town Art Fair is on: 17-19 February
Investec Cape Town Art Fair is open: 11am-7pm
Find it: Convention Square, 1 Lower Long Street, Cape Town, 8001
Book: Via Webtickets 
Contact them on: 021 7022 280, art@fieramilano.co.za, @investeccapetownartfair  

By Lee-Anne Spurdens

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