As the countdown begins, with less than three months to go, the Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025 is poised to make waves in the contemporary art scene with its exciting line-up of exhibitors under the innovative theme: Celebrating Art, Creativity and Exploration Through the Power of Play.
Scheduled to take place from February 21 to 23, at the iconic Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), this year’s fair promises a vibrant showcase of art that invites a dynamic interaction between creators and audiences alike.
In its twelfth edition, the fair will spotlight more than 100 artists and feature works from an impressive roster of 124 exhibitors. Reflecting on this year’s theme, fair director Laura Vincenti describes play as a multifaceted concept that shapes the event's framework. "Interrogating the dynamics of experimentation, the 12th edition of Investec Cape Town Art Fair: PLAY bases its thematic framework around play as action, play your role, play as curiosity, play as the inherent human desire to create," she explains.
This year’s event will feature an extraordinary programme filled with talks, panel discussions, guided art walks, and thought-provoking conversations led by industry experts, thought leaders, and art market professionals. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into the complexities of contemporary African art, collecting, and new frontiers in artistic expression.
A significant point of interest for this year's fair is the participation of galleries from Tokyo, Kampala, and Kuwait City, marking a notable expansion of the international representation within the fair.
The event will boast over 30 first-time exhibitors, making it the largest group of new galleries to ever participate in the fair's history. Among these newcomers are 11 new South African galleries, further reflecting the growing diversity and dynamism of the African art landscape.
One of the highlights of the 2025 edition will be the return of the 'Cabinet' series, with this iteration dubbed Cabinet/Trophy: Playing the Field, expertly curated by Exhibition Match (Alexander Richards and Dr Phokeng Setai).
This exhibition is expected to delve into the playful and experimental aspects of art, adding another layer of richness to the overall experience.
Over the years, the Investec Cape Town Art Fair has garnered a reputation for attracting more than 30,000 art collectors and enthusiasts from around the globe. Vincenti underscores that the essence of play invites engagement, stating, "Rather than being a passive observation of aesthetic objects, play invites the audience to actively participate in the unfolding of ideas. This collaborative aspect of play redefines the roles of artist and viewer, transforming them into co-creators of meaning." The fair is set to provide a unique environment where the boundaries between viewer and creator are fluid, encouraging visitors to interact with the art on multiple sensory levels.
Moreover, the Investec Cape Town Art Fair will extend beyond the confines of the CTICC, transfiguring the entire city into an artistic playground.
This year’s edition aims to infuse the broader Cape Town community with art through a week-long festival that invites exploration of the city’s rich cultural tapestry, encompassing its galleries, museums, and diverse artistic venues.
The Star