Some latest works by leading local artists are on display at the seventh edition of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair. The annual event is renowned for being the best place in Africa to buy local and international art. There’s also a focus on the work of young Africans, which is causing a storm in the contemporary art world.
Need inspiration? Take a whirl around this weekend’s Investec Cape Town Art Fair #ICTAF #InvestecArt #contemplatingart #contemporaryart #artfair #art pic.twitter.com/qaZIMOcJVC
— Investec (@Investec) February 15, 2019
World renowned South African artist from the Ndebele nation, Dr Esther Mahlangu, is exhibiting at the fair. Mahlangu was the first person to transfer the traditional Ndebele style of mural painting to canvas. She says passion for the Ndebele Culture remains as strong as ever.
“Young people must know if they are Ndebele where they come from, they must not forget their culture; they must work with their culture and never forget where they are from. They must teach their children, if they have children, when they are married and have children, their children should know that they are; Ndebele, what Ndebele is, they must not forget their culture.”
Amazing to spot the iconic Dr #EstherMahlangu at the #Investec Cape Town Art Fair : still producing her incredible pieces at age 83. What a remarkable person ?? pic.twitter.com/UAWMxsWgNV
— Mike Abel (@abelmike) February 16, 2019
The Cape Town Art Fair is the place where buyers from around the world interact with galleries, as well as emerging and established artists, creating important global networks.
Khanya Mashabela of the Art Fair, says they pride themselves with putting African art on the same platform as international art.
“We really pride ourselves on putting up African Art on the same platform as international art rather than making it seem that it’s something on the side. So it offers a really nice platform for international collectors and galleries to see what’s happening in terms of production in South Africa and in Africa and we have galleries from all over the continent.”
Ghanaian Artist, Ibrahim Mahama, says the Art Fair is a wonderful opportunity for people to invest in art.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity, particularly on the continent, because there are very few people on the continent who spend money or invest in art. We need to somehow not just grow our audience for people being interested in art but people also who somehow support art.”
The fair creates a platform for African contemporary artists to share their works with art lovers from around the world.
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