1. CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Matthew
Partridge; ‘Future Leader (Out of the Box)’
by Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude; ‘Baqa’ video
still (one of six) by Thania Petersen; ‘Mshanga
Orupa Mchikirwa’ by Rehema Chachage;
modified cricket helmet by Masimba Hwati;
‘300/8 P1’ by Kyle Morland.
Text Genevieve Putter Photographs supplied
atthew Patridge is not your typical
art fair director. At the age of 33
– young in the high-brow world of
art fairs – he successfully steered the ship
of the much-talked-about Cape Town Art
Fair for the first time in February this year.
His academic career as both student and
lecturer in art history and visual branding,
not to mention his journalistic skills as
an art critic, have equipped him with a
360-degree view of the arts – something
that carries a lot of gravitas in a time when
visual communication, be it traditional
artistic disciplines or those of the creatively
digital kind, are being disrupted, merged
and turned inside out. Add to this the
blossoming romance the international
art scene is having with contemporary art
from a multitude of African countries, and
someone of Matthew’s inclination has never
been more important – especially for what
has become one of the continent’s most
prolific art fairs. capetownartfair.co.za
What one artist’s work should our readers
buy now? One only has to look at the artists
featured on the fair’s special project
M
platform, Tomorrows/Today, to get an idea
of what’s hot right now. Their presence
on platforms such as this gives you some
clue as to where they’re going. One tip is to
remember to do your research thoroughly
when considering a purchase, but also not
to forget that ultimately it’s about how much
you love the work. What artwork do you wish
you’d bought 10 years ago? It wasn’t quite
10 years ago, but an Anton Kannemeyer
that was on show at Stevenson a few years
ago. It was a small print of a landscape –
very unusual for the artist’s usual political
tone. It was delicately done and his mark-
making was precise and controlled but also
gestural. Which local artists are doing well
internationally? William Kentridge obviously
springs to mind. Then there’s Robin Rhode,
who is living in Berlin, and Marlene Dumas
in Amsterdam. I think the reason for their
success is that they make top-quality work
that is experimental and challenges the
perceptions of viewers, forcing them to look
at the world differently. What’s your favourite
piece of art in your home? A blank sheet of
Fabriano with invisible lettering by James
Webb. It has a curse on it and apparently
I’m supposed to destroy it, but I could never
do that to a piece of art. What message do
you hope people took from this year’s Cape
Town Art Fair? For me what the fair said was
that our established artists are strong, the
marketplace is secure and the future for
upcoming talent is bright. What was your
personal highlight? Meeting Steven Cohen.
I have long been an admirer of his work
and activism. The chance to engage with
him was like meeting a childhood hero –
in a nerdy art-historical kind of way.
+find more local exhibitions and
events at houseandleisure.co.za
Matthew Partridge’s new shtick as director of the Cape Town
Art Fair puts him at the centre of the local art world
matthew partridge
32 HL may 2016 HOUSEANDLEISURE.CO.ZA
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