During the week of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2026, internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Freya Willemoes-Wissing will present a powerful selected work from her acclaimed body of work, I Bled A Thousand Days For You, at the NIROX booth, part of the official fair programme.

A Curated Highlight at NIROX

The NIROX booth is curated by Gérard de Kamper and renowned art critic and curator Ashraf Jamal — one of South Africa’s most respected contemporary art thinkers and a leading voice in global art discourse. Jamal has personally selected Willemoes-Wissing’s work for this presentation, positioning her among a tightly curated group of artists and affirming her as a compelling voice in contemporary art.

The work will be previewed on 19 February 2026 for invited VIP guests, collectors and industry leaders, before being presented to the public at BlackBrick Foreshore from 20 to 23 February 2026.

An Exploration of Womanhood and Resilience

I Bled A Thousand Days For You offers an intimate and visually striking exploration of womanhood, sacrifice, identity and resilience. Constructed from collected sanitary pad covers and assembled into quilt-like works, the piece transforms hidden, everyday materials into bold statements of strength and beauty.

At its heart is a vital message: equality does not mean sameness — we deserve equal rights while honouring our differences.

BlackBrick’s strong commitment to South African artists and its integration of art throughout its spaces provide an ideal context for work that speaks to real lives and real stories. The setting reinforces the exhibition’s themes of resilience and truth, making the NIROX booth one of the fair’s standout destinations.

An International Perspective

Freya Willemoes-Wissing is a (South) African artist born in Rio de Janeiro to a Danish father. She has been painting from an early age and continues to pursue her ongoing studies as an artist. Over the past two decades, she has travelled extensively, absorbing the culture, language, art and music of more than 70 countries.

Raised in a family surrounded by established artists and musicians, she developed a passion not only for painting but also for dancing, ballet and singing. Today, her works are held in private collections in Los Angeles, New York, Denmark, Florida, Germany, Australia and South Africa.

Known for colouring outside conventional lines and challenging the status quo, Willemoes-Wissing creates work that is unfiltered, courageous and deeply honest — refusing to soften difficult truths for comfort or approval.

Looking Ahead

Following her appearance at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, audiences can also look forward to Freya’s March exhibition, Burlesque, presented together with her friend and co-artist Max Wolpe. The exhibition is curated by Robyn Lidsky.

For collectors, art fair visitors and lovers of meaningful contemporary art, Freya Willemoes-Wissing’s presentation at the NIROX booth promises to be one of this year’s must-see moments.

Location: NIROX Booth Venue – BlackBrick Gardens
Dates: 19–23 February 2026