Art will take centre stage when Cape Town and Stellenbosch host two major art events in February.
The first event is the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, known as Africa’s largest contemporary art fair, followed by the second Stellenbosch Triennale.
These events are set to transform the city and region into a global art hub, attracting collectors, galleries, curators, artists and journalists. The city’s galleries, museums and institutions also participate in extended programmes, showcasing the best of the Cape’s cultural offerings.
The 2025 edition of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 February. It features over 124 exhibitors from across the globe, including top galleries from five continents, and attracts more than 30 000 art enthusiasts.
This year’s event has attracted 30 first-time exhibitors, the largest group of new galleries in the event’s history. As always, the fair will extend into a week-long arts extravaganza throughout Cape Town at a range of venues, including its leading galleries, museums and other cultural institutions. The programme of events offers guided art walks, talks and panel discussions with thought leaders, art market professionals and experts providing invaluable insights and thought-provoking perspectives on the market for African art, collecting, current themes and new directions.
Meanwhile, the Stellenbosch Triennale will be held in the City of Oaks from Wednesday 19 February to Wednesday 30 April. The event debuted with a bold vision in 2020: to transform the historical winelands town into a premier destination for multidisciplinary art in Africa.
The event was conceptualised as a platform where public art and creativity engage critically with society. This year’s instalment will present a constantly evolving programme over its two-month duration, featuring an impressive line-up of artists from the African continent and beyond.
Chief curator Khanyisile Mbongwa has included practices including sound, sculpture, installations, paintings, photography, dance and performance under the evocative theme “BA’ZINZILE: A Rehearsal for Breathing”, which invites artists and audiences alike to contemplate the act of breathing, both a fundamental physical process and a metaphor for resilience and survival.
Taking place at the Oude Libertas precinct and across multiple venues throughout Stellenbosch, the triennale reflects the unique cultural and natural landscape of the region.
. For more info on the Cape Town event, visit www.investeccapetownartfair.co.za.
. Find more details on the Stellenbosch event at www.stellenboschtriennale.com.
