Artistic excellence honoured at the 2025 Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Ziphi I (2025) by Zanele Muholi Picture: Instagram

The act of transmuting the expansive range of our experience and emotion into art, or any creative endeavour, will always be one of human beings’ greatest abilities. The Investec Cape Town Art Fair held its 12th edition on 21–23 February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), an event where a varied blend of collectors, contemporary artists and enthusiasts from over the world could come together and honour artistic excellence.

The three-day fair provided the space for artists and curators from all over the world to exhibit their works and engage with buyers and enthusiasts. The 2025 edition also showcased 500 artists from 58 countries across five continents, plus 30 new galleries for the very first time. 

This year’s theme was PLAY, encouraging artists to experiment with creativity and the profundity of play in society. The concept is meant to invite artists and guests to view art as a tool to foster dialogue, embrace discovery and experimentation, and as a powerful way to shape culture. Director Laura Vincenti elaborates: “Investec Cape Town Art Fair, we are dedicated to fostering innovation and providing a platform for emerging artists to thrive.”

The weekend-long fair included art walks, a talks programme, interviews, as well as a retail section that featured local brands from SA’s design scene. A selection of items such as tote bags, scents, fashion pieces and jewellery were for sale.  

A highlight of the fair, though, was the prize giving. The Investec Emerging Artist Award went to artists Ben Stanwix and Xhanti Zwelendaba, represented by RESERVOIR for their collaboration piece titled Thaba Nchu. The RDC Acquisition Prize was awarded to Ibrahim Khatab represented by Eclectica Contemporary. But it was Cameroonian artist Agnes Essonti Luque who was awarded the Tomorrows/Today prize, SA’s most esteemed visual art accolade for unrepresented artists. The award came with an R80 000 cash prize, a lovely boost to her promising artistic journey.

Aside from ruminating over thought-provoking art pieces, visitors could connect with fellow art lovers in the outside courtyard, which featured food trucks, and the VIP Lounge, making it a truly interactive, creative space. This year’s fair has proven itself to be a crucial platform in which the African and international art worlds converge and exchange rich cultural ideas.  

Also see: Ben Stanwix and Xhanti Zwelendaba win inaugural Emerging Artist Award at Investec Cape Town Art Fair