The Cape Town Art Fair will take place again in February 2014 following its hugely successful launch in the Mother City this past weekend. Following the hugely successful inaugural event at which three SA galleries were invited to take part in MiArt Italy.
The ground-breaking Fair was held under the auspices of global exhibition giant, Fiera Milano, with its acclaimed art fairs MiArt Italy and Art International Istanbul.
Says Fiera Milano Africa director Louise Cashmore: “The success of the Fair clearly illustrated that the time was right for Cape Town to host an art fair of this nature. Cape Town is an international city and home to many of the country’s leading contemporary artists, curators and galleries. Cape Town is really the capital of design, uniquely South African and African and we have so much that is creative and beautiful in our city. We are staking out new territory as 2014 draws near and our designation as a World Design Capital becomes a tangible reality.
“The success of the inaugural Cape Town Art Fair was so important for Cape Town. It clearly demonstrated the reach of this city’s artistic output, building inclusion at every level and breaking down barriers. We are delighted to announce that the Fair will take place in February next year when we will attract, not only local consumers, but global visitors looking keenly at this vibrant new platform of African contemporary art.”
More than 130 artists and 40 leading galleries took part in the inaugural Fair with many of the exhibitors delighted with both the attendance and sales.
Said Marelize van Zyl, curator in chief SMAC Art Gallery: “The first Cape Town Art Fair was a total success. Firstly, it created a market platform long necessary for the art industry in Cape Town in particular. It brought together most of the role players giving collectors the opportunity to meet with galleries and see their presentations. Secondly, the Fair made it easy for new and potential buyers to navigate their interests and the galleries more easily – without having to go to different locations. It provided a wonderful opportunity to create new contacts and meet new potential buyers and grow a new buying market which is absolutely necessary for the longevity and growth of our industry.
“We would like to see the Fair growing into an international fair with a strong African presence – bringing galleries and artists from other art centre as well as galleries from Africa too. This will be the drawing card for international collectors and curators to come and visit. The inaugural Cape Town Art Fair of 2013 also marked the event where artist Barend de Wet decided hang up his knitting needles….. in hiatus”, she concluded.
It was a sentiment echoed by Elana Brundyn, owner and director of Brundyn+: “The Fair was a great success because, not only was there a huge interest from collectors and the public, but they came to view the Fair and to spend money. Informed clients supported us and we also felt we were cultivating a new audience base for our gallery.”
Said Deon Viljoen of Deon Viljoen Fine Art: “The Cape Town Art Fair was well-organised, well-publicised and well-attended. It afforded me the opportunity to re-connect with collectors and buyers. I would like to participate again.”
The Fair was opened by Francesco Santa, director of Fiera Milano Global, who also announced that the company would be sponsoring an Italian residency programme.
The curatorial team at MiArt, taking place in Milan – the headquarters of Fiera Milano International – have invited three galleries to represent South African Art at MiArt 2014, taking place from March 28 to 30. They are Brundyn+, Woodstock’s Whatiftheworld / Gallery and SMAC Gallery as guest of honour for their support of the vision for the inaugural Cape Town Art Fair. These galleries, they felt, best represented excellence in South African art and would promote the Cape Town Art Fair as a serious art event for the Pan African art sector.
