Spier Arts Trust

Spier Arts Trust Spier Arts Trust values the cultural contribution of art to South Africa’s creative economy.

Spier Arts Trust (SAT) administers an ecosystem of artist career development opportunities, including programmes such as the Creative Block, as well as regular curated exhibitions at various venues locally and internationally. Our purpose is to facilitate successful art careers by enabling freedom of creative expression with the potential for social transformation. Our business model is one of sha

red value; our patron partners are committed in a long term strategy to realise economic business goals while doing good in society. We build significant art collections for our patron partners through the administration of an ecosystem of career development opportunities for fine artists. These include, among others, The Creative Block and Qaqambile Bead Studio.

Suburban Upgrade by Mary Visser Acrylic and spray paint on canvas1550 x 1300 mmNando’s UK Collection : Acrylic glazingI...
17/06/2026

Suburban Upgrade by Mary Visser
Acrylic and spray paint on canvas
1550 x 1300 mm
Nando’s UK Collection


: Acrylic glazing

If in doubt DON’T add water.
When creating glazes with acrylic paint, a typical mistake is to add large amounts of water. While it can increase transparency, too much water weakens the acrylic binder that holds the pigment together. This may result in uneven colour, poor adhesion, and a chalky paint layer once dry.

Acrylic glazing medium is specifically designed to solve this problem - it increases transparency, while maintaining the durability and smooth application of the paint.
Unlike heavily diluted paint, a glaze made with medium allows light to pass through transparent layers, to create depth and rich colour effects without compromising the integrity of the artwork.


Water still has its place, but should be used sparingly only for minor adjustments. Consistent, professional-looking glaze and painting that has greater visual depth is achieved through a glazing medium - the colours will remain vibrant and the layers stay strong.

Brentwood is a town in Essex that originated in the 12th century; its name derives from the Old English for “burnt wood”...
09/06/2026

Brentwood is a town in Essex that originated in the 12th century; its name derives from the Old English for “burnt wood”.
It is believed that the Saxons settled in a clearing that was made by a forest fire, which gave the town its name.
Centered on an ancient Roman road, it flourished as a vital resting stop for pilgrims traveling to Canterbury.

Nando’s Brentwood was refurbished in July 2025 by award-winning interior design and architecture studio .
Artwork selected for the refurb from the collection include Lovers and Friends (2024), and oil painting by Sandile Ashar Mhlongo.

was born in the township of Langa, and he still lives and works in Cape Town. His paintings articulate his life story - one of personal struggle, enriched by strong family ties and friendships. His work reflects the daily experiences of the people that surround him.

03/06/2026

‘What began in the Karoo as a wide-ranging conversation now shifts into a city context,’ Grobler explains. ‘By selecting works that remain in dialogue with one another, the exhibition becomes a kind of mobile version, a way of carrying that conversation forward, but allowing it to be seen differently.’

‘n Greep uit Grenslose Gesprekke draws from the award-winning curatorial framework by , for this year’s Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) visual arts programme.

On show until 25 June 2026 at 25 Commercial Street, Cape Town


Uncertainty [Ad Hominem series] (2023) by Mark Rautenbach1240 x 1210 mmFibre on boardMahon Point in Cork, Ireland has a ...
02/06/2026

Uncertainty [Ad Hominem series] (2023) by Mark Rautenbach
1240 x 1210 mm
Fibre on board

Mahon Point in Cork, Ireland has a rich history - evolving from an aristocratic estate to an industrial hub - before transforming into a modern destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. 
It is built on land once owned by the Crawford family, who co-founded the historic brewery Beamish & Crawford in 1792.

Nando’s Cork at Mahon Point was refurbished in June 2025 by , who selected Mark Rautenbach’s work from the collection for this restaurant.

is a multimedia artist currently living and working in Cape Town, South Africa.
Mark often uses yarn “as a pun on ‘story’ to explore how much of human existence - everything that matters to us and the process of meaning-making - emerges from the stories we create. It deeply concerns me that so much of our identity, perhaps all of it, is embedded in this act of storytelling.”

His AD HOMINEM (Signal and Noise) series reflects on how we interpret and react to the world around us, as a reminder to separate the signal from the noise and to avoid taking things personally. 

Threads (2025) by Sepideh MehrabanOil on canvas600 x 405 mmNando’s UK Collection  : Invest in the best materialsQuality ...
28/05/2026

Threads (2025) by Sepideh Mehraban
Oil on canvas
600 x 405 mm
Nando’s UK Collection
 
: Invest in the best materials

Quality materials are essential to best develop reliable technical skills, confidence in your presentation and to garner trust in the longevity of your work. On the flipside, cheap materials may fade, disintegrate or behave in unpredictable ways that limits the quality of the final artwork. 

Working professionally does not require buying the most expensive products available; a practical approach is to prioritise materials that directly affect durability and other visual aspects such as colour, so think about using archival paper, strong supports, good primers and artist-grade paints in a limited palette.
Many artists save money by buying fewer colours and reusing surfaces. Purchasing materials in bulk also saves cost. Consider buying together with another artist and sharing the costs, or combining professional materials with more affordable student-grade options where appropriate. 

It is important to test materials carefully before committing to large projects. Learning how different surfaces, pigments, adhesives or mediums respond over time can prevent costly mistakes later. 

Thoughtful material choices demonstrate professionalism and results in works that collectors, galleries, and institutions can trust to endure.
 

The 900-year legacy of the “Freemans” in Leicester - stemming from the medieval Freemen merchants - is rooted in centuri...
25/05/2026

The 900-year legacy of the “Freemans” in Leicester - stemming from the medieval Freemen merchants - is rooted in centuries of medieval history, civic resistance, and tradition.
Fast forward from the early 12th century to the late 1800s, apparently Leicester Freemans Leisure Park - today a local entertainment hub - operated as the Leicester Cattle Market for over a century.
It was a vibrant agricultural hub where farmers gathered for livestock sales, business and gossip.

This is where Nando’s opened a refurbished store in June 2025, where one can still be sipping the tea.
The vibrant restaurant interior by showcases 
Die Doek (2024), an oil on canvas by Khaya Sineyile.
Khaya is a mostly self-taught artist from Nyanga, Cape Town. His work explores South African structures (family, social inequality and cultural heritage);  often contrasting raw, textured brushwork with cartoon-like outlines.

Creative Block is at RMB Latitudes Art Fair again this year!Our chief curator, Tamlin Blake, invites new art collectors ...
21/05/2026

Creative Block is at RMB Latitudes Art Fair again this year!

Our chief curator, Tamlin Blake, invites new art collectors to start your collection:
“Creative Block is perfect while learning to navigate the art world. You can start on a small budget and discover many emerging and established artists of diverse practices.”
We know many of you will return to add to your growing Creative Block collection.

Creative Blocks by Nathaniel Sheppard III, nomThunzi Mashalaba and Vivien Kohler available at our booth in the Glass Marquee.
See you at Shepstone Gardens in , 22-24 May ‘26!

is fast becoming one of the continent’s most anticipated art events, combining an oasis-like experience with the credibility and commercial strength of a global art fair.

18/05/2026

Wild Things is our current ceramic group exhibition .

Open daily until 24 August 2026, everyone’s invited!

Archiving (2023) by Mellaney RobertsCeramic on board600 x 400 mmNando’s India Collection : Ceramics as a 2D mediumWhile ...
13/05/2026

Archiving (2023) by Mellaney Roberts
Ceramic on board
600 x 400 mm
Nando’s India Collection

: Ceramics as a 2D medium
While ceramics lends itself to three dimensions - large or small - it is also very useful as a medium for two-dimensional work, allowing for the manufacture of tiles and low relief panels. These works may appear flat, but clay naturally occupies space - making texture and shadow important compositional elements. 
has its own structural realities which are essential to work with, rather than against. 
Large, flat pieces are vulnerable to warping and cracking. So, to successfully create 2D ceramics, careful slab construction is crucial. When working with slabs, roll out the clay evenly and thoroughly compress it, to reduce stress during drying and firing. 
Slow, even drying is critical, as uneven moisture loss can cause cracking or curling. To minimise this, many artists embrace modular construction using smaller tiles or panels to minimise technical risks and to expand installation possibilities. 
Ultimately, successful ceramic surface works emerge when artists engage with the material on its own terms, allowing its physical qualities and unpredictability to shape the final artwork.
focusOnExcellence

Address

Union House, 25 Commercial Street
Cape Town
8001

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27214612679

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