Now that the Investec Cape Town Art Fair has wrapped up and we’ve had a whole week to recover from the sheer visual feast, now is the perfect time to reflect. Let’s talk about our favourites, relive the magic, and most importantly figure out how to channel that creative energy into our own craft. Because honestly, how does one come down from that exhilarating rush of colour, texture, and sheer artistic brilliance?
A Sensory Feast: What Took Our Breath Away
Our marketing team had the privilege of attending the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Natasha and Peter leading the way at the vernissage like seasoned art lovers on a mission. Natasha, ever the colour enthusiast, was immediately drawn to bold, expressive works. Peter, who loves textures, was especially drawn to pieces with rich, layered surfaces. The rest of us? We were somewhere between wide-eyed wonder, snapping photos like eager tourists, and mentally curating our dream shopping list of art supplies.
So, how does one channel all this creative flair? Let’s start by reminiscing about some of the incredible works on display at the Cape Town Art Fair and, most importantly, how they were made. Because let’s be honest, as you stood in front of those mind-blowing pieces, you were probably asking yourself: How did they even create this? What materials did they use? Where do you even get stuff like this?! And beyond the sheer awe, there’s the bigger question,how does an art fair like this positively impact your craft in the studio?
What Is The Investec Cape Town Art Fair
The Investec Cape Town Art Fair is, without a doubt, the ultimate playground for art lovers, collectors, and creatives alike. Held every February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, it transforms the space into a vibrant hub of artistic energy, where the best of contemporary art from Africa and beyond takes centre stage. With its electrifying mix of painting, sculpture, photography, digital media, and immersive installations, the fair is a feast for the senses and a melting pot of artistic innovation. The range of materials? Absolutely mind-blowing! We had everything from traditional oil on canvas, acrylics, and printmaking to avant-garde artists pushing boundaries with unconventional materials. Think soil, beads, textiles, and everyday found objects. And let’s not forget the spectacular installations and sculptures that completely transformed the space. Oh, and the experimental visionaries? Some were working with code and light, crafting futuristic works that felt like stepping into another dimension.
Textures, Colours, and Stories: What’s Behind the Magic
Every time I visit the Art Fair, I find myself instinctively drawn to the old masters of South Africa, the trailblazers who shaped the artistic landscape we celebrate today. Legends like Gerard Sekoto, George Pemba, and Robert Hodgins (just to name a few) laid the groundwork for contemporary artists to flourish, their influence still rippling through the bold and expressive works we see today.
One piece that absolutely stopped me in my tracks was a painting by Penny Siopis. The sheer richness of texture and colour was impossible to ignore, it practically demanded attention the moment I saw it. Layers upon layers of impasto created a luscious, almost sculptural surface, with colours bleeding and blending in the most mesmerising way. It felt alive, as if the paint itself carried memory and emotion. Siopis has such a masterful way of merging history, materiality, and storytelling that her work isn’t just something you look at—it’s something you experience.
Megan’s Showstopper of the Fair
Megan’s Showstopper of the Fair
The dazzling array of colours on the walls and in the crowd, inspired no doubt by the theme ‘Play’, was a feast for the senses. Bold splashes of paint, unexpected colour combinations, and lively brushstrokes filled the space, creating an atmosphere of pure creative joy.
The artists embraced playfulness not just in their work but in their personal expression too – curators and visitors alike arrived in outfits bursting with bright hues, striking patterns, and whimsical accessories. The entire exhibition felt alive with an infectious energy, as though colour itself had leapt off the canvases and into the room, inviting everyone to take part in the artistic celebration.
I stumbled across a small Norman Catherine sculpture dating back a couple of decades, which was wonderful to encounter. As a teenager, I’d visit the National Gallery often, and the first art ‘print’ I ever bought was all I could afford: a Norman Catherine ‘Fook Island’ postcard from the Gallery gift shop..!
Ironically the figure was displayed with a Walter Batiss work nearby, which is especially apt as Batiss collaborated with Catherine on the ‘Fook Island’ series – a body of work which coincidentally perfectly embodies the ‘Play’ theme of the Fair. I was fascinated with Mbali Dhlamini’s multi-layered technique of creating indigo-dyed handmade paper sheets. Mbali makes the paper herself, then adds cassava paste to mask off the negative areas, before dipping the sheets into a bath of indigo dye. The resulting images are hypnotic in their depth and impact.
Our Top Pick, The Piece That Left Us Speechless
Our favourite work by far as the Deckle team is by Andrzej Urbanski. It is a mesmerising geometric piece that had us completely captivated. Bursting with layered hues of red, pink, orange, and blue against a deep, inky black background, it created an almost digital effect—like a glitch in motion, frozen in time. The precision of its angular shapes gave it an incredible sense of depth, as if the colours were shifting and overlapping right before our eyes. Urbanski masterfully plays with form, transparency, and light, turning hard edges into something fluid and alive. A perfect example of how abstraction can be both mathematical and utterly hypnotic
How to Channel That Creative Buzz Back Into Your Art
Now that we’ve broken down our favourites from the Art Fair, let’s talk about what most artists used to bring their visions to life. So many works were beautifully rendered on canvas, framed with professional precision using high quality materials that truly elevated their presentation. (I’ve spoken about the importance of presentation in exhibitions before, it really does make all the difference!)
Prints were meticulously produced on high-quality paper and framed to perfection, while experimental works were crafted with the highest level of detail and intent. Take, for instance, artists like Willie Bester or CowMash. Even though they use everyday found objects, the way they elevate these materials to an artistic degree is nothing short of profound. The attention to detail transforms what might seem ordinary into something utterly masterful.
One piece that really stood out to me was a sculpture by Frances Goodman. It’s a testament to how unconventional materials—nails, bottle caps, even synthetic hair—can be manipulated into spectacular, thought-provoking works of art. Sometimes, it’s not about what you use, but how you use it.
Your Post-Art Fair Game Plan
Feeling inspired? Good. Now that you have a feel for what the Investec Cape Town Art Fair is all about and you’re bursting with inspiration, why not keep the momentum going? Come down to the store and channel that creative energy into your own work, we’ve got everything you need to bring your ideas to life. Whether you’re trying out a technique you saw at the Cape Town Art Fair or just experimenting with new materials, we’re here to supply all the creative fuel you need.
So come on over, grab some new supplies, and let’s keep that artistic momentum going. Because the best way to recover from a creative overload? Create more art. See you in the store, let’s make something amazing!