The South African metropolis Cape Town, affectionately known as the “Mother City,” unveils itself in layers that reveal its different facets. The majestic silhouette of Table Mountain, for instance, can be contrasted with the sprawling informality of Khayelitsha—its makeshift dwellings are a stark reminder of the socioeconomic realities that coexist within this land.
South Africans, it’s said, possess a unique ability to transmute pain into power. This spirit translates seamlessly into the art world. Stalwart galleries like Everard Read, Goodman Gallery, Stevenson, Southern Guild, and Gallery MoMo have helped build the reputations of talents such as David Goldblatt, Mikhael Subotzky, Zanele Muholi, Mary Sibande, Dada Khanyisa, and Lady Skollie, who have gone on to become international names. Newer spaces like WhatIftheWorld, 99 Loop Gallery, The Fourth, and THK Gallery, meanwhile, continue to expand the definition of African art by taking the artists they represent onto the global stage and bringing international artists to South Africa.
“Exporting is a two-way conversation,” said Linda Pyke, director of THK Gallery. “We introduce international artists to our market while showcasing our homegrown talent to the world. This exchange isn’t just about showcasing; it’s about claiming ownership of a narrative that was often dictated by others.”
Private institutions, such as galleries and museums, are also transcending their physical walls to become platforms of empowerment. They offer artists the crucial tools they need to tell their stories, fostering visibility and mentorship. This impact extends beyond individual success, driving the rewriting of narratives, challenging perceptions, and ultimately, preserving knowledge and uplifting marginalized communities. Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) serves as a powerful example of this commitment. As a public, not-for-profit institution, it houses and exhibits Africa’s largest collection of contemporary art, actively pursuing programs that promote intercultural understanding and inclusivity. Free entry on designated days underscores their dedication to accessibility.
In “When We See Us: A century of Black Figuration in Painting,” a landmark exhibition at the museum from last year, Black self-representation was explored through a century of global Black artwork, boldly bringing together established and emerging voices. By creating a platform for dialogue between artists, thinkers, and writers, Zeitz MOCAA not only celebrated Black artistic expression but also sparked crucial conversations about identity, history, and representation.
Another key institution is The Norval Foundation, which is dedicated to the research and care of 20th- and 21st-century African art. The nonprofit center, founded in 2018, aims to be a catalyst for contemporary art through artist commissions, fostering of education, and its stewardship of the Homestead Collection. The collection features an extensive body of artworks by 20th-century South African artists, and a growing number of artworks by contemporary artists from the African continent and its diaspora. Set within an indigenous garden and wetland near Table Mountain, the Foundation’s unique location reflects its commitment to nature and art.
The Cape Town art scene’s push toward greater inclusivity will also express itself at the 11th edition of Investec Cape Town Art Fair, which opens today at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and runs through February 18th. The fair will feature 115 exhibitors from 24 countries, representing 400 artists across 54 nationalities. The fair’s theme this year, “Unbound,” reflects the conversations being had about liberation and what it means to be free of personal and historical restrictions.
“The city’s geography is an integral part of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair’s success. Cape Town is a vibrant cultural hub, with a supportive community. It is very attractive to international collectors, with a great combination of diverse and cutting edge art,” said the fair’s director Laura Vinceti.
This diversity is on full display at Generations, the fair’s newest section, where curators Natasha Becker and Amogelang Maledu will foster an intergenerational dialogue through art. Celebrating artists at various career stages, it sparks conversations about addressing past flaws and reconstructing a future that leverages the talents and creativity of all generations. Galleries featured include local stalwart SMAC and San Francisco’s Jonathan Carver Moore.
The fair’s program will also will also include a public art intervention that will be hosted in the historic inner city of Bo-kaap, where international galleries like Galerie EIGEN + ART and Suburbia Contemporary will present pop-up exhibitions. Participating Cape Town galleries will also open their doors for exhibitions, tours, and picnics. The vibrant neighborhood also features the Bo-Kaap Museum. The historic space—its history dates back to the 1760s—is set to become a stage for reimagining the past through a performance piece by Thania Petersen. Petersen’s work promises to weave new narratives, amplifying the voices of the Cape’s people and offering fresh perspectives on the region’s rich history.
Cape Town’s art scene is young, complex, and brimming with potential. It reflects the struggles and triumphs of a nation still developing, and has quickly earned its right as an art capital. “Even in 2024, [there] will always be a preoccupation with reading the zeitgeist of art and culture…certainly not unique only to Cape Town but exacerbated here because of the inequalities that are so palpable and self-evident, even within the ecosystem of the art world,” said Maledu.
