Franschhoek artist Pierre Louis Geldenhuys to showcase new work at Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2026

Franschhoek artist Pierre Louis Geldenhuys will return to his home country to present a new body of work at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2026, taking place from February 19-22.

He will exhibit The Planet is Screaming, Listen to Mother Earth at Booth C11, represented by LUISA PITA Gallery, which is participating in the fair for the first time.

Now based in Spain, Mr Geldenhuys has spent the past 15 years developing a multidisciplinary practice that spans textile art, geometry, theatre and fashion. His latest series combines intricate geometric design with environmental themes, exploring humanity’s relationship with nature and the fragility of global ecosystems.

The work draws inspiration from Islamic tessellation and Arab architecture, influences the artist encountered while living abroad. Over time, his exploration of symmetry and mathematical precision has evolved into a broader conceptual inquiry into ecological imbalance and environmental degradation.

Mr Geldenhuys said, "I work from a metaphor that I call the ‘delirium of living space’, a critical reflection on the human drive to expand its area of influence and control, often at the expense of nature and environmental balance.

"Through my work, I aim to convey the urgent need to listen to the silent cry of nature and to recognise the pressing responsibility to protect our planet."

At the centre of his technique is a distinctive use of raw silk. Working from a single piece of uncut fabric, Mr Geldenhuys folds and manipulates the material to create complex geometric compositions. Freely falling threads are then incorporated into the works, softening the rigid structure and introducing an element of unpredictability.

Encased in illuminated light boxes, the pieces take on a layered, almost X-ray-like quality, creating depth and shadow that draw viewers into the folds of the textile.

The new series uses the life cycle of the vine as a metaphor for environmental rupture and regeneration. In viticulture, pruning requires careful attention to the plant’s structure and growth patterns.

Mr Geldenhuys draws parallels between this attentive process and the need for humanity to listen more closely to the planet’s warning signs - from melting ice caps and species loss to polluted oceans and scorched landscapes.

"At the same time, I strive to offer an optimistic vision of the world, sending an eco-positive and hopeful message about our shared future,” he said.

His presentation also aligns with the 2026 theme of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, “Listen”. Each fold and thread is intended to function as a quiet prompt to observe more closely and consider the consequences of environmental neglect.

Mr Geldenhuys was born in Franschhoek and studied at the Tshwane University of Technology and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. His practice focuses on the intersection of structure and fluidity, abstraction and ecology.

The Investec Cape Town Art Fair is one of Africa’s leading contemporary art events, bringing together galleries, artists and collectors from across the globe.

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