Expect cutting-edge contemporary art from around Africa and the world at the 2016 Cape Town Art Fair, taking place from the 19th to the 21st of February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. With over 50 galleries and cultural platforms participating and featuring a diversity of work from an array of emerging and established artists, there are plenty reasons to get excited.
From Cameroon, Doual’art will be showcasing the works of five artists comprised of a Malagasy photographer along with two Cameroonian painters, a sculptor and a multimedia artist. Doual’art Chairperson, Princess Marilyn Douala-Bel, explains:
They were chosen for their diversity of mediums and techniques as well for their themes that show the diversity of current discourses. The time has come for us to enter the art market. The Cape Town Art Fair has a good reputation and will enable us to reach a South African and international market.
COSMOS Deep Survey, Karel Nel, 2011. Sprayed pigment on bonded fibre fabric. 175 x 175cm, Art First
Art First Gallery Director, Clare Cooper also hopes to meet many local and international collectors at this year’s Fair as well to find good homes for the works she and her gallery are presenting. The artists selected to be exhibited include Joni Brenner, Karel Nel, Richard Penn and Graeme Williams. “It makes sense for me to bring them to a South African forum where their work can be viewed by a ‘local’ audience and where it is important for them to develop a strong collector base. In addition, I think the works we have selected will be great for the particular audience which Cape Town attracts.”
Special offer, Dion Cupido, 2015. Oil, acrylic and spray paint on canvas. 180 x 160cm, World Art
Another one to look out for is Worldart, who will be participating for the fourth time this year and highlighting the work of artists such as Kilmany-Jo Liversage, Khaya Witbooi, Dion Cupido, Norman O’Flynn, Haidee Nel and Marlise Keith. Regarding the role of the Cape Town Art Fair, Worldart Director Charl Bezuidenhout, shares:
Art fairs are important and the Cape Town Art Fair is an absolute must if you want to know what is on offer in the South African art scene. On top of that, Cape Town in particular has a vibrant art scene and artworks are constantly being distributed to international destinations.
MaID, Brooklyn, New York, 2015, Zanele Muholi. Silver gelatin print. Image size 30 x 21,74cm; paper size 40 x 31,74cm, Stevenson
Stevenson will be bringing the works of Anton Kannemeyer, Wim Botha, Kemang Wa Lehulere, Pieter Hugo, Penny Siopis and Jo Ractliffe to the Fair. According to representative from the gallery, “We are determined to support the development of new possibilities for expanding the reach and opportunities for our artists. Art fairs are a tool for galleries to be able to bring the work of their artists to new audiences and collectors.”
MORE INFORMATION
Do not miss out on the Cape Town Art Fair taking place from 19 to 21 February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). Go online here for more information on the curators, judging panel and talks programme. For tickets visit Computicket
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