A showcase of some of South Africa's best contemporary sculpture, combined with the Fair, promises visitors an unmatched culinary and cultural day out in the country with friends and family.
"The Winter Sculpture Fair will provide the perfect city escape, giving visitors the rare opportunity to savour exquisite food and wine produced by Franschhoek's top chefs and winemakers in the magnificent setting of NIROX - a highly acclaimed sculpture park situated in a 15 hectare private nature reserve," says Ross Douglas, Director at Artlogic and event organiser.
Visitors can meander through the beautifully landscaped park, taking in the sculptures of the 'After the Rainbow Nation: 2013' exhibition. The exhibition has its origins in a local collection showcased by The Hague in 2012 as part of the city's annual exposure of the art of sculpture from around the world. With the assistance of curator Mary-Jane Darrol, iconic works from The Hague have been brought back to South Africa, and supplemented with new pieces for this showing.
"This event offers the public a rare opportunity to see the country's top sculpture in a space that is ordinarily closed to the public," says Douglas.
Visitors can also purchase a variety of cheeses, charcuterie, wines, and chocolates from leading Franschhoek producers at the Fair's country market, just in time for winter, while a separate up-market retail area will give them the opportunity to buy exclusive whiskies, scarves, leather bags, books and more.
Deluxe lunches prepared by chefs from some of the country's best restaurants - including Le Quartier Français, Pierneef a la Motte Restaurant , Reuben's, and Cotage Fromage among others - can be purchased and enjoyed at picnic tables in the lush gardens. A host of award-winning wineries such as Môreson, La Motte, Boekenhoutskloof and Vrede en Lust, to name a few, will also be selling wine and bubbly by the glass or bottle.
"MasterCard is the proud sponsor of the Fair, the first event in South Africa to focus on sculpture. Inspired by international events such as the Frieze Sculpture Park in New York, the Fair offers the perfect opportunity for the company to create a priceless experience for art, wine and food lovers in Gauteng," says Philip Panaino, division president, MasterCard, South Africa.
MasterCard will be extending its support of the contemporary arts through the launch of a commissioned project. Each year, it will provide funds for the commission of sculptures for the Fair.
"Through the commissioned project, we aim to nurture and promote the development of local sculpture talent, and advance South Africa's reputation in the global contemporary arts arena," he concludes.
Tickets for the Fair cost R100 and are available from www.webtickets.co.za. MasterCard users receive a 10% discount on tickets and items at the event. The Fair is open from 11am to 5pm on Saturday 4 May 2013 and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday 5 May 2013. For more information, go to www.wintersculpturefair.co.za or follow @ArtlogicSA on twitter.
Wineries: Môreson, Rickety Bridge, Leopards Leap Family Vineyards, Anthonij Rupert Wines, La Bri Estate, Plaisir de Merle, Akkerdal, Lynx Estate Wines, La Motte, , Holden Manz Wine Estate, My Wyn, Vrede en Lust, Allée Bleue, Glenwood, Backsberg Estate Cellars, Solms Delta Wine Estate, Boekenhoutskloof, Haute Cabrière and Four Paws Wines
Restaurants: Bread & Wine, Le Quartier Français, Cotage Fromage, Dish at La Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, Pierneef a La Motte Restaurant, Fyndraai Restaurant, Reuben's, Fromages de France, Paulina's Restaurant at Rickety Bridge, Funiki - Sensei's Japanese Eatery at L'Ermitage, and The Franschhoek Kitchen at Holden Manz
Retailers: Huguenot Fine Chocolate, The Ceramics Gallery and Masquerade.
Artists: Beth Armstrong, Beezy Bailey, Debbie Bell, Kevin Brand, David Brown, Willem Boshoff, Marco Cianfanelli, Barend de Wet, Guy du Toit, Richard Forbes, Gordon Mudzunga, Marcus Neustetter, Serge Nitegeka, Angus Taylor, Strijdom van der Merwe, Edoardo Villa, Gavin Younge, and Mawande Zenzile.
