Honoured and privileged to have been part of the international nominating committee for the @awitalondon honours in Venice this year.
Marking ten years of supporting women in the arts globally, the AWITA honours list celebrates leaders who have shaped today’s arts landscape and those steering the future. The initiative signals AWITA’s continued commitment to expanding its dynamic global support network.
Selections were made against a clear framework of values that define the organisation’s understanding of cultural leadership today: Generosity & Stewardship, Visionary Perspective, and Impact & Legacy.
It’s really a proud and bitter sweet moment to see such a large contingency of South
African artists represented at this year’s biennale. Of course, Koyo was after all based in South Africa before
her untimely passing.
It’s equally a proud moment to see how many #sbya #standardbankyoungartistaward winners are featured
which include:
- ��Mam’Helen Mmakgabo Sebidi
- �Nicholas Hlobo @nicholas_hlobo
- ��Bernie Searle
- ��Kemang Wa Lehulere @kemangwalehulere
- ��Buhlebezwe Siwani @buhlebezwesiwani for whom I contributed an accompanying text
- Gabrielle Goliath @gabriellegoliath
Other SA artists include
- ��Johannes Phokela
- �Thania Petersen @thaniapetersen
- Senzeni Marasela @senzenimarasela
- Nolan Dennis Oswald @data_body #venicebiennale #contemporaryafricanart
The Rumours /2026 exhibition by renowned South African photographer Santu Mofokeng opened on the 23rd April at the Standard Bank Art Lab i. Nelson Mandela Square a few days before Freedom Day on the 27th of April. A significant exhibition marking the reflection and/or cross road phase South Africa finds itself, the exhibition is a critical moment deliberating on some of Santu’s ideas around photography and the lessons it can teach us.
Lessons on humanity (botho or ubuntu), on humanism and what he referred to as “Seriti” - the essence of a person. I’m honoured and privileged to have worked and collaborated with the @santumofokengfoundation on the project in ensuring Santu’s legacy continues. I hope the exhibition is seen by many while it’s on its run until 18th October. Bring your family, your friends and especially your children. @standardbankarts #makingartpossible
What an amazing week! Had the privilege of being selected to be part of the Todi Circle fellowship hosted by @rogerballencentre focusing on enriching conversations around African Photography. Thrilled to be part of network that will continue the work of making the medium more visible and accessible to wider audiences particularly in the continent!
We had the pleasure of hosting the board of trustees from the @brooklynmuseum at the Standard Bank Art Lab. An amazing group of people, looking forward to future partnerships and collaborations.
Khwezi Gule from the Johannesburg Art Gallery shared how art can create a sense of belonging. For him, visiting galleries is more than seeing works — it’s about connecting with a community of like-minded people #SBArtLab #ChampionOfTheArts
The Fireside Chat with Bougaard from Wits Art Museum reflects on the many ways people engage with art - some go to galleries to capture moments, others to lose themselves in it. #SBArtLab #ChampionOfTheArts
The Standard Bank Art Lab today unveils a new visual arts exhibition showcasing four decades of South African visual arts history while celebrating 40 years of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award (SBYA) in the visual arts.
Titled SBYA Visual Art 1984- Now, the exhibition will hang from 14 October until 31 January 2026 at the bank’s newest visual arts space situated at Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton.
The landmark exhibition tracks the dynamics of transformative change undergone by South Africa through the work of SBYA recipients for Visual Arts between 1984 and now (2025). It also invites art lovers to not only reflect on the rich socio-political history and the rich culture it produced but encourages them to celebrate 40 years of artistic excellence through the 40 artworks put together by 40 SBYA’s for Visual Arts from 1984 to 2025.
Compiled by Dr Same Mdluli, Curator and Manager of the Standard Bank Art Gallery and Art Lab, the exhibition entails work from the Standard Bank Corporate Collection, SABC Art Collection, Rupert Museum, Wits Arts Museum and the Johannesburg Art Gallery, unveiling rarely seen masterpieces of contemporary South African art.
Mdluli says the SBYA Visual Art 1984- Now showcase not only celebrates the works and artists behind them but also reinforces Standard Bank’s heritage of empowering visionary artistic talents in South Africa and across the continent.
“This exhibition marks a significant milestone for the bank as we forge ahead with our commitment to championing the arts. SBYA Visual Art 1984- Now is a uniquely rich and immersive celebration of the 40th anniversary of the award’s history, featuring 40 artists represented in the show through a single work, each selected from 40 pieces drawn from the art collections of four important institutions in South African art. In this way, the exhibition reflects both the artistic and institutional dynamics that shape our art historical reality,” says Dr. Mdluli.
