Inside the 2025 Investec Cape Town Art Fair: A Celebration of Creativity

On Saturday, 22 February, we stepped into the 2025 Investec Cape Town Art Fair, and from the moment we arrived, we knew we were in for something extraordinary. Held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), this year’s fair embraced the theme "PLAY", inviting both artists and audiences to engage with art in a fresh, experimental, and interactive way.

Walking through the fair, we were immediately struck by the sheer variety of artworks on display. With over 100 artists and 124 exhibitors, the space felt alive with energy, each corner offering something bold, thought-provoking, or simply mesmerizing. The fair masterfully blended traditional mediums with contemporary innovations, featuring everything from immersive installations and digital art to striking sculptures and evocative paintings.

One of the biggest standouts was the way the "PLAY" theme was woven throughout the event. Art wasn’t just something to look at it was something to experience. Whether it was interactive exhibits that responded to movement or avant-garde works that challenged perspectives, the fair encouraged us to let go of rigid interpretations and just engage with the art.

Among the many exceptional displays, the "Cabinet/Trophy: Playing the Field" exhibition truly captured our imagination. Curated by Alexander Richards and Dr. Phokeng Setai, this section explored the playful and experimental aspects of art in a way that was both intellectually stimulating and visually stunning. Another highlight was the international representation at this year’s fair. Galleries from Tokyo, Kampala, and Kuwait City brought an exciting global perspective, seamlessly blending with the already vibrant African art scene. This fusion of styles and influences made for an incredibly dynamic experience, where each step led to something unexpected and inspiring.

Beyond the artworks, the fair served as a hub for meaningful conversations about contemporary art. Panel discussions, guided art walks, and artist talks offered deeper insights into the creative process, making it clear that this wasn’t just an exhibition. It was a cultural event that connected people across different creative disciplines.

Cape Town itself played a perfect host. The city's rich artistic heritage, combined with the backdrop of Table Mountain and the buzzing creative community, made the experience feel even more immersive. For a few days, the CTICC transformed into a global art playground, bringing together collectors, artists, and enthusiasts in a celebration of creativity.

We walked in expecting a great art fair, but we left completely blown away. The 2025 Investec Cape Town Art Fair was more than just an exhibition, it was an invitation to explore, to interact, and to rediscover the joy of creativity. If you missed it this year, make sure you don’t miss the next one. This event continues to push the boundaries of what an art fair can be, and we can’t wait to see where it goes from here. Until then, we’ll be reliving the highlights and staying inspired by the incredible artists we discovered.