- Kevin Collins unveiled his collection, “Whale Watching,” featuring 90 hand-painted whale wall plates, celebrating Cape Town’s whale-watching culture, at the 12th Investec Cape Town Art Fair.
- The art fair, held at the CTICC, showcased over 300 artists from around the world, highlighting Africa’s growing art scene with significant local participation.
- Collins emphasized the importance of government support for artists and encouraged aspiring creatives to persist, while JP Smith acknowledged Cape Town’s flourishing visual art sector and the City’s efforts to boost it.
In celebration of Art Week Cape Town, a local artist’s new artwork celebrates whales with a collection entitled Whale Watching.
Kevin Collins, a freelance artist, created about 90 whimsical, hand-painted, whale wall plates.
Each plate represents the 90 species of whales.
The 12th edition of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair started on Friday 21 February and showcased over 120 galleries from the Mother City, South Africa, Africa and around the world.
Held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), the event saw the work of over 300 artists from diverse global backgrounds on display.
Known as Africa’s largest art event, the gathering serves as a platform for galleries, collectors, curators, and artists to connect at the forefront of contemporary art, offering an unparalleled opportunity to be part of the growing African art scene.
Speaking to People’s Post about his collection, Collins said he was always fascinated by the whales.
“
He explained this collection aims to pay homage to these massive sea creatures.
“I’ve created a collection of 90 ceramic plates made of stoneware clay and it describes whales in Cape Town. Whales make Cape Town what it is. The same way that the penguins suddenly turn Simon’s Town into something.
“We mustn’t forget that these fantastic creatures come here in winter, and make Cape Town a unique experience. There is nothing more amazing than seeing a set of whales jumping out of the water in False Bay in the middle of winter.”
Collins believes that art should be accessible.
He called on the government to provide more support for artists.
“The art is one of those elements that the government has neglected badly. The Johannesburg Art Gallery is falling into ruins; they had to remove the artwork. And it is the same at other municipal galleries around the country.
“Citizens have to take some responsibility and go to view good South African art. The art belongs to the people. There is a collection of art in Parliament, but the public never gets to see it. It really should be opened for the public to see.”
JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security, said over 40 Cape Town-based galleries participated in the art fair.
“Cape Town’s visual art sector has been on the rise over the last decade because of positive developments in the exciting local scene, investment in new galleries, and an increase in demand for African art.”
Smith said through several projects led by the Arts and Culture branch and various initiatives supported by the City’s events department, the municipality intends to contribute to the sector’s growth over the coming years.
“Our support for the Investec Cape Town Art Fair forms part of this broader strategy, and we are grateful for the event’s contribution in elevating the Cape Town art scene to the global stage.”
Collins encouraged aspiring artists to believe in themselves.
“Just keep going. There are times when you are not going to earn a living but just keep going. Art is the best kind of therapy because it is not going to cost you anything.”
