The 9th edition of the Investec Cape Town Art happened this week – and what a delight it was, particularly after two years of having to wrap our heads around the potential digitization of all of our sensory experiences. The more events that take place this year in 2022, the more we are reminded of our embedded need for connection and tangible moments.
Some of the most compelling pieces included Dudubloom More’s magenta, crimson and citrus hued textural work, made of acrylic yarn delicately woven to create discs, then mounted on canvas relaying outward dimension. Talia Ramkilawan exhibited with What If The World Gallery, showing her signature tapestry technique of wool & cloth, this piece in particular is a commentary on the violence of British Imperialism and the inhuman experiences of Indian people in South Africa – we are always in awe of Talia’s ability to convey incredibly important meaning through woven pastel and bold colour. Continuing our draw towards brightness, Tsoku Maela’s digital and analogue images from the series “guardians of the garden” first appeared as hyper-realism before shifting into being understood as photographic work – we loved this interesting play on meta-realities rooted in the physical world.
We only saw one work left from Mongezi Ncaphayi’s show, Let The Waters Settle – we always adore his attention to detail in fine-line work and his ability to convey moods with watercolours, often contrasting both mediums and meaning simultaneously. TheFourth’s booth at the fair was crowned by Rochelle Nembhard and Gemma Shepherd‘s GENESIS: Life / Death / Force showcase; with incredible images of Rharha in communion with the elements of hair, land and self; in juxtaposition with their continued centering of the rock as a symbol for The Great Mother, womanhood and outcry against femicide. Among the publishing section, we delighted at House and Leisure’s continued rebrand – from an iconic interior magazine, to one of the only print publications left in South Africa that strikes at the heart of the incredible design and artistry occurring here. Their booth was illuminated in pastels and beautiful objects, alongside their most volumes available for purchase. Lastly, we had to show immense restraint at the Clarke’s Bookshop booth with their ever-dazzling array of secondhand and archival reads.
There, of course, was so much more – we extend our gratitude and congratulations to all the artists who exhibited, those who curated and created such a special & enlivening weekend for our city.
Visit https://investeccapetownartfair.co.za/ for more.
