Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2019 wrap up | African art on the rise

Jump to the following by clicking the links below:

• Watch the highlights video
• A 360-degree view of the Fair
• Explore the Investec stand and partner with us to take a closer look
• Watch a timelapse of Karyn Wiggill's miniature art in motion
• Take a tour of the Fair with Maps Maponyane
• Emerging artists to watch

This year the Investec Cape Town Art Fair truly lived up to its reputation as the platform that brings Africa to the world, and the world to Africa. With a record number of local and international visitors through the door, and some 100 galleries from across the globe exhibiting, it’s grown into Africa’s choice contemporary art destination.

Now in our second year as lead sponsor, Investec is extremely proud of the reviews the fair received from clients, artists, and curators alike. The standard of art on show was exceptional and varied.

"It becomes an interesting collaboration between all the local and international players and I think this is why we’ve seen the growth of the fair and such brilliant work being presented."

Tumelo Mosaka, the fair’s chief curator says, “Transforming the art fair each year is a challenge. What is interesting about the Investec Cape Town Art Fair is that we are still such a young fair, but with a very broad international presence, and that has helped us to actually lift the standard of the art being presented. It becomes an interesting collaboration between all the local and international players and I think this is why we’ve seen the growth of the fair and such brilliant work being presented.”

As proud lead sponsor, Investec commissioned award-winning artist Karyn Wiggill to create 52 original miniature works that were on display at the fair. Each tiny drawing fits into a little red dot and represents a fact about the art world which could be useful when deciding whether to buy or walk on. At the Investec stand, visitors were given magnifying glasses to "take a closer look".

Art has the potential to become a personal and financial investment. A little red dot on a gallery wall means an artwork has been sold. But what’s behind the dot? What makes the artwork so valuable? The sophisticated blend of knowledge, experience and, of course, the emotional connection that precludes a sale is an art in itself. 

It can take Karyn up to nine hours to create one of her gems that are smaller than a R1 coin. The complexity is astounding. “There’s no chance of making a mistake. It has to be perfect,” commented Karyn.

WATCH VIDEO: Karyn Wiggill on what it takes to create a miniature masterpiece

This year we brought Investec ambassador, entrepreneur and avid art collector Maps Maponyane to the fair. Maps is passionate about African contemporary art and says one need look no further than this market for a good investment.

WATCH VIDEO: Maps takes us through his personal art collection and shares tips on starting your own art collection

Emerging artists to watch

One of the most popular sections of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair is the Tomorrows/Today feature, a showcase of emerging artists’ work, curated by Chief Curator Tumelo Mosaka who focused on finding unrecognised artists.

This year, Troy Makaza, a Zimbabwean artist took the top honour at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair winning R50,000 and a solo exhibit at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art. 

The Africa First art prize when to Benoni-born artist Mongezi Ncaphayi from Smac Gallery in Stellenbosch who won a two-month residency in Israel. Work he produces there will be displayed in the VIP area of the 2019 Investec Cape Town Art Fair.