KELEBOGILE MAROPE NAMED 2026 FNB ART PRIZE WINNER

FNB Art Joburg has announced Kelebogile Marope as the recipient of the 2026 FNB Art Prize, celebrating her distinctive contribution to contemporary African sculpture and her thoughtful exploration of memory, identity, place and belonging.

Now in its 19th edition, FNB Art Joburg continues to strengthen Africa’s contemporary art ecosystem by creating opportunities that extend beyond the annual art fair. The FNB Art Prize remains central to this commitment, recognising artistic excellence while supporting the long-term development of African artists.

The 2026 jury, comprising Kim Kandan, Fair Manager and FNB Art Joburg representative; Mike Mavura, curator; and Véronique Savigné, interior designer and collector, praised Marope’s technical skill, originality and ability to expand the possibilities of sculpture.

The jury said Marope’s practice represents “a compelling expansion of contemporary African sculpture”, noting her ability to make a traditionally male-dominated medium her own through exceptional skill and precision.

The jury was particularly impressed by the artist’s ability to push the boundaries of sculpture while remaining deeply rooted in place. Her work combines a distinctive material language with an imaginative perspective that reflects the spirit of the FNB Art Prize.

Working across sculpture, drawing and mixed media, Marope investigates the relationship between memory, identity and the spaces people inhabit. Drawing inspiration from domestic environments and everyday materials, she explores how ordinary objects, surfaces and architectural details can become repositories of lived experience.

Her carefully considered, process-driven approach reveals the ways in which everyday rituals influence our understanding of home, belonging and collective memory. By transforming the familiar, Marope invites audiences to reconsider the emotional and cultural significance of the spaces and objects that surround them.

Born in Ramotswa, Botswana, Marope holds a Bachelor of Fine Art and a Master of Fine Art from Rhodes University. She has exhibited in Botswana and South Africa and has steadily developed a multidisciplinary practice that continues to gain recognition across the region.

Her achievement is particularly significant as she becomes the first artist from Botswana to receive the FNB Art Prize, marking a major milestone in her career while shining a light on the growing contribution of Botswana’s contemporary art scene.

Linda Kachingwe-Sisya, FNB Chief Marketing Officer, congratulated Marope on the achievement and highlighted the importance of supporting African creativity.

“We’d like to congratulate Kelebogile Marope on being named the recipient of the 2026 FNB Art Prize. Her work is both deeply personal and universally resonant, demonstrating the power of art to connect us to place, memory and one another,” said Kachingwe-Sisya.

She added that FNB’s partnership with Art Joburg reflects an almost two-decade commitment to nurturing African talent and creating platforms through which artists can develop, gain recognition and contribute to the continent’s cultural landscape.

“Kelebogile’s recognition is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary creative potential that exists across our continent. We are honoured to celebrate her achievement and proud to support platforms that amplify African stories, invest in creative excellence and help shape the future of contemporary African art on the global stage,” she said.

Kachingwe-Sisya further emphasised the wider significance of recognising artists from across Africa.

“It is important to recognise African artists from across the continent because this award puts a spotlight on creative excellence. It tells the story of us as African people — our culture and our history — and, most importantly, it captures the moments of our time.”

For FNB, supporting the arts is part of its broader commitment to enabling what it describes as the “art of possibility” — supporting ideas, imagination and talent that challenge convention, inspire new perspectives and contribute to Africa’s future.

The FNB Art Prize also plays an important role in strengthening a sustainable and self-reliant contemporary African art ecosystem. By recognising artists from different parts of the continent and providing opportunities beyond the fair, the prize supports artistic careers while broadening the narratives represented within the international cultural landscape.

As the 2026 recipient, Marope will receive a cash prize and a solo exhibition at the Johannesburg Art Gallery in 2027, giving audiences an opportunity to experience her work in greater depth.

Marope joins an accomplished list of previous FNB Art Prize recipients, including Thato Toeba, Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude, Lindokuhle Sobekwa, Dada Khanyisa, Wycliffe Mundopa, Lady Skollie, Bronwyn Katz, Haroon Gunn-Salie, Peju Alatise, Nolan Oswald Dennis, Turiya Magadlela, Portia Zvavahera, Nelisiwe Xaba, Mocke J van Veuren, Kudzanai Chiurai and Cedric Nunn.

Her selection is a significant moment not only for her own artistic journey, but also for Botswana and the wider African contemporary art landscape. It underscores the importance of creating platforms where African artists can be discovered, celebrated and empowered to shape cultural conversations.

With Kelebogile Marope as its 2026 recipient, the FNB Art Prize continues its mission of recognising artistic excellence, amplifying African voices and investing in a vibrant and sustainable future for contemporary art on the continent.