Cape Grace tea and art

Beautifully curated and recently completed, the contemporary South African art and design at the Cape Grace Hotel is exceptional.

This special afternoon is a rare opportunity to engage with the art and enjoy one of the best fine dining teas in town.

The tour is guided by both Emma Vandermerwe, Director and Head Curator of Everard Read, and myself, Kate Crane Briggs. (Many of the artworks were bought from Everard Read.)

The art is refreshing, appropriate and different to the usual collections of South African art; see below for details. It is thanks to Lezanne Van Heerden, a highly respected South African contemporary art and design consultant. When the hotel was closed during Covid, she was commissioned to devise a overall concept, then buy the art, and also the design objects and books.

We start with an optional sparkling wine or non alcoholic cocktail, unless you prefer freshly made tea or coffee. After a brief introduction to the overall collection, we will have a tour of the art in and around the reception, including the popular Keiskamma textile pieces. We will then sit down for the first part of our tea – small sandwiches and savouries. Our tour resumes in a different part of the hotel, before returning for scones and cakes (gluten-free and vegetarian options are available with prior notice).

This special event, called T’art, is a first.

The group will be small.

Paying before 19 May R900 per person; R1 450 for two places (includes gratuity), otherwise R1 200 per person, R2 000 for two places.

To book: kate@cultureconnectsa.com +(0)72 377 8014

Dietary requirements eg gluten-free and vegan, please share when booking (there will be no pork or beef).

The art in the main public spaces and special suite take their cue from two centrepiece textile works by the Keiskamma Art Project. These artworks are inspired by local plants and flowers, and were the first pieces bought by the hotel investors.

Artworks in the reception areas and adjoining corridors are abstract, in keeping with the design of the interior. The hotel commissioned 1508 London Design Studio to redesign the interiors, and this was part of Lezanne’s brief from the Studio.

The hotel was closed for renovations between May 2023 – May 2024 during which time it became a branded Fairmont property.

In the Library there are a small number of traditional, figurative and small-scale works grouped on the far wall. These are from the hotel’s original collection – historic prints of local birds and landscapes.

Lezanne’s selection of magazines and books for the Library has been as carefully curated as the art itself. A highlight is Paul Edmunds’ small bronze sculpture, Hermes (I Think), 2021, of the rare Table Mountain caracal.

Bascule Bar downstairs has figurative, smaller artworks acquired after the hotel’s reopening. The hope is that they spark conversation and encourage closer inspection through their rich, tactile use of materials.

The Cape Grace Suite, the hotel’s most prestigious suite, proudly highlights the work of South African women artists.

Lezanne’s selection from the prestigious Norval Foundation collection complements the permanent collection, particularly with more three-dimensional art and well established artists selling extensively internationally. Pieces can be found in all public areas.

Artwoks in the bathrooms, bedrooms, spa and upstairs corridors include beautifully crafted, locally made prints, ceramics and basketwork.

Artists and designers in the Cape Grace’s collection

Ade Adesina  || Aviwe Plaatjie  || Banele Khoza  || Bekezela Mabena  || Benjamin Stanwix  || Cathy Abraham  || Chuma Maweni  || Cinthia Sifa Mulanga  || Colbert Mashile  || Dathini Mzayiya  || Erin Chaplin  || Fikile Mqhayi  || Galia Gluckman  || Hanna Noor Mahomed  || Imraan Christian  || Jeanne Hoffman  || Jody Paulsen  || Kasteel  || Keiskamma Art Project  || KSSO Editions  || Lady Skollie  || Lakin Ogunbanwo  || Laurinda Belcher  || Leila Abrahams  || Louise Gelderblom  || Lulama Wolf  || Lungiswa Joe  || Maja Marx  || Mark Rautenbach  || Mbuso Hlongwa  || Meshack Tembani  || Nabeeha Mohamed  || Paul Edmunds  || Quazi Design  || Sthenjwa Luthuli  || Sylvester Zanoxolo Mqeku  || Tafadzwa Masudi  || Tafadzwa Tega  || Talia Ramkilawan  || Terence Maluleke  || Teresa Kutala Firmino  || Thabo Modillane  || Tshepiso Moropa  || Tusevo Landu  || Vorster & Braye  || Warren Maroon  || Wezile Harmans  || Zarah Cassim  || Zizipho Poswa  || Zolani Siphungela

Norval Foundation artists at the Cape Grace

Al Hassan Issah  || Cassi Namoda  || Dada Khanyisa  || Gregory Olympio  || Jeanne Hoffman  || Nandipha Mntambo  || Nicholas Hlobo  || Sthenjwa Luthuli  || Thania Peterson  || Walter Oltmann  || Zanele Muholi

Thursday 22 May 2025

14h00 to 17h00

Cape Grace, a Fairmont managed hotel

West Quay Road

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Cape Town, 8001

R900 early bird payment pre 19 May; R1 450 for two places, otherwise R1 200 per person, R2 000 for two places; includes gratuity

_{Images with me in by Alex Nel.  Galia Gluckman’s Sunset || Keiskamma Art Trust – Textile Embroidery || Ou Kaapi by Thania Peterson, 2021 || Instar 1 by Walter Oltmann, 2023 || Nicholas Hlobo’s IZANDLA ZEKUMKANI, 2020 || From the hotel’s website: Sthenjwa Luthuli – A Way Out, 2021 || Library (spot the historic prints through the book shelves) || Bascule Bar (with the lower part of Jody Paulsen’s work || sitting area by concierge showing part of Leila Abrahams’ work || a staff member passing one of the Norval’s works || Spa showing abstract prints}