Artists, designers, students, and collectives working with light and video are invited to submit expressions of interest for the eighth edition of Spier Light Art, returning to Spier Wine Farm from March to April 2026.
The annual event, known for transforming the Stellenbosch landscape with bold and imaginative works, has grown into a highly anticipated fixture on South Africa’s cultural calendar. The 2025 edition drew more than 13,000 visitors, offering one of the largest public audiences for contemporary light-based art in the country.
Submissions for Spier Light Art 2026 close on 21 July 2025, and all interested applicants are encouraged to attend the scheduled briefings. An online session will be hosted on Tuesday, 17 June at 16:00, and an on-site briefing will take place on Saturday, 5 July at 10:30 at Spier. RSVP is required via email to spierlightart@lightplace.org.
What the Curators Are Looking For
The curatorial team, led by Jay Pather and Vaughn Sadie, is seeking work that places Light at the core of the artistic experience. There is no set theme, but artists are encouraged to explore ideas of:
- Enchantment and playfulness
- Technological innovation
- Resilience and social commentary
- The natural rhythms of a working wine farm
The exhibition welcomes a variety of formats, including:
- Site-specific installations
- Sculptural or object-based works
- Interactive art
- Technology-led digital works
- Video art
All proposals should aim to engage audiences of all ages, provoke reflection, and encourage interaction.
Submission Requirements
Expressions of interest must include the following:
- Biography of the artist/collective/studio (200 words)
- Concept overview, including category (300 words)
- Work description with concept sketches (300 words)
- Explanation of light usage (150 words)
- Audience interaction plan (150 words, ideally with a video)
- Preliminary budget, indicating if partial or full funding is requested from Spier Arts Trust
- Web links or images of the proposed or previous work
Submissions must be emailed to the project manager at spierlightart@lightplace.org by 21 July 2025. Shortlisted artists may be asked to submit a full proposal at a later stage.
First launched in 2018, Spier Light Art has become a showcase for contemporary, accessible art in public space, held within the natural beauty of one of South Africa’s oldest wine farms. The 2025 edition featured a range of immersive experiences using light, sound, and video, praised for its mix of whimsy and depth. Artists looking for inspiration are encouraged to review previous years’ works at www.spierlightart.co.za.
Spier Light Art is presented by the Spier Arts Trust, which supports South African artists through commissions and long-term partnerships aimed at fostering the growth of the local arts ecosystem.
