CHRISTOPHER MOLLER GALLERY PRESENTS – INVESTEC CAPE TOWN ART FAIR 2023
In person 16 – 19 February 2023
Online 16 February – 31 May 2023
Cape Town, South Africa
REFLECTION, INTROSPECTION AND SHIFTING PERCEPTIONS by Vicki Sleet
We are proud to share some of the contemporary art world's most intelligent talents and critical thinkers with a significant presence at this year's Investec Cape Town Art Fair.The Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2023 is now in its tenth year of providing a platform for the best artists, curators and gallerists in the industry. For Christopher Moller Gallery it is another opportunity to highlight our unique expertise, insight and passion for contemporary art from across the African continent and further afield.
From seminal works by the father of contemporary African art, Professor Ablade Glover, to profound interpretations of the African zeitgeist by millennial talent Michael Gah and provocative figurative narration from international painter Andrew Salgado, this year's curated collection is a riot of intellectual thought and reasoning given an artistic outlet.
"The past two years have seen an explosion of expression and creativity in the contemporary art world and it has been such a privilege to bear witness to this and to act as a conduit between artist and collectors. Our commitment to incubating new talents, developing existing relationships, and continuing to pay homage to the heavyweights we admire, so much remains our passion and one of our very reasons for being" – Christopher Moller.The line-up for this year's fair is easily one of the best we have had and we are extremely excited to be sharing such a diverse and innovative body of work with a broad and appreciative audience.
Andrew Salgado
The gallery's relationship with Andrew Salgado began when Christopher and Jaco first met him during their visit to London in 2013, where he currently resides. The gallery was actively looking to bring a figurative artist on board and later in 2014, he had his first official solo in South Africa with Christopher Moller Gallery. Salgado created this piece, Laughter in the Dark, specifically for this year's art fair and the subject matter is a homage to his fascination for the complex and convoluted storyline of the book of the same name written by Vladimir Nabokov (most famous for his later novel Lolita). His ability to narrate through complex artistic exploration and symbolism is extraordinary and this is truly a standout piece we are thrilled to be showcasing – this is a piece that takes time to unpack: much like the novel it emulates, there are plot twists and turns to ponder and reflect on.
Professor Ablade Glover
Professor Glover is considered one of Africa's founding fathers of contemporary African art at 89, and is still wowing audiences around the world. It is a privilege to be sharing his larger-than-life depictions of the African experience with our fellow art lovers and fans. Professor Glover is a highly collectable master at his craft and his recent show with the gallery was well received globally. We are in awe of his work, his energy and commitment to his craft over seven decades, and his deeply saturated displays of the world outside his window.
Barry Yusufu
There is no mistaking Barry Yusufu's fascination for black-centric fashion and culture from the 1970's and 1980's, and this combined with a passion for intensely detailed and colourific portraiture has us very excited about his pieces on the show. Yusufu turns a sharp eye to elevating African men and women in his art, actively shifting outdated and clichéd perceptions of African identity and creating a new visual language that is more in line with how he sees the modern world. Of importance is his skillful rendering of light on his canvasses, where he bestows an angelic, even iconic status on his subjects.
Tony Gum
Black identity and in particular, what it is to be a black woman in the 21st century, is a common theme in much of Tony Gum's provocative multi-disciplinary works. Her staged self-portrait photographs lean heavily into her AmaXhosa culture and the pervasiveness of an ever present, post-colonial hangover. Milked in Africa is deeply allegorical, a series showcasing everyday items as metaphors of women's ever morphing roles and societal expectations. Gum began developing this series that taps into a very relevant state of affairs for women in South Africa in 2016, and we are thrilled that our showcase includes two as yet unseen pieces.
David Olatoye
Our respect for David Olatoye deepens with every body of work he creates as he shares his personal evolution, and provides insight into how his past has shaped him. His current direction delves into the power and ever-presence of folklore in Nigeria and how storytelling and song are used to impart lifelong lessons. We love his hyper real depictions of domestic life as revealed in In Sickness and in Health where his signature intense colouration and beautiful illustrative detailing take centre stage. Equally there is a strong appreciation for design in his work, something we think will resonate with prospective collectors.
Joseph Ntensibe
Deeply concerned about the effects of climate change on our present and future existence, renowned artist Joseph Ntensibe refers to the yoke of humans' abuse of their surrounds in his intense paintings, which are continually developing around the theme of diminishing forests. His work relates to a past that has not been seen in Uganda since his childhood – each canvas is resplendent with exquisitely fashioned foliage and is a beautiful but concerning reminder of what has been lost and what stands to be lost. Ntensibe's works are highly sought after across the globe and it is a rare opportunity to be able to exhibit one of his disappearing forest scenes.
Michael Gah
An effortlessly natty dresser who was raised by his seamstress mother, aunts and grandmother, it stands to reason that patterned textiles, bright and beautiful colours and the notion of fashioning beauty out of accessible materials is part of Gah's DNA. His muses? African women in their finery and in an array of stylised domestic and leisure scenes. We are inspired by his infectious enthusiasm and his optimistic approach to his craft and are excited that his portraits of women straddling modern and traditional Africa have caught the eyes of collectors around the world.
Lou Ros
We have a long-standing relationship with self-taught artist Lou Ros that dates back to 2014. Once a figurative artist, Ros did an about turn to abstract landscapes, creating pieces like this that beautifully convey the silence and the calming qualities that nature presents; nature is a balm for Ros and there is a soothing envelopment that happens when gazing into the depths of his work. Christopher and Jaco have secured one of his extraordinary abstract landscapes for this year's art fair – we love that Ros is so unapologetic about his craft "As an artist it is more important to look at a painting than painting it", he says, and we couldn't agree more.
Dennis Osadebe
Acclaimed artist and sculptor Dennis Osadebe never fails to inspire us. His ability to hold both past and present as equally relevant and to promote new understanding makes him something of a visionary. His physical representations of concepts are undeniably easy on the eye, but are equally weighted with gravitas, and Hope in Action, the piece we are sharing at the show – of a child waiting to ask a question, poses its own commentary around looking for alternative answers and challenging the status quo. By taking action, we may be able to change our future, says Osadebe and it is these kinds of questions that are so universal in challenging times. There is no denying the complexities of life in the current climate, and it is our deep passion to play a role in sharing artists' perspectives to a greater, and increasingly enthusiastic audience. We regard our artists as trailblazers and torchbearers in the contemporary art world and showcasing their talent is a privilege we do not take lightly.
Press release courtesy Christopher Moller Gallery.
7 Kloofnek Rd
Cape Town
South Africa
christophermollerart.co.za
+27(0) 21 422 1599
Tuesday – Friday • 10h00 – 16h00
Monday & Saturday • Viewings by appointment
Sunday • Closed