Around the Land in Artsy Ways: 18 Rising Artists Unveiling the South African Tapestry
Cultures are multifaceted, dynamic, and fundamental to the South African identity. To explore this, we’ve embarked on a visual “Grand Tour”—an inter-provincial reimagining of Around the World in Eighty Days. This journey does not cross oceans, but rather the diverse landscapes of our nine provinces through the eyes of twenty rising visual artists.
Why These Artists? The selection was curated to address historical regional biases by giving equal weight to all nine provinces. From the conceptual sophistication of urban hubs like the Western Cape and Gauteng to the material resourcefulness found in Limpopo and the Northern Cape, these artists were chosen because they represent “innovation for a better future”.
By highlighting emerging talents—such as Lesego Motsiri’s digital exploration in the Free State or Asanda Kupa’s poignant depictions of Eastern Cape life—we are documenting the “untold stories” that define our modern visual culture. While the journey is ongoing (as we continue to source the specific primary works of practitioners like Nontokozo Ntombela and Nandipha Jakuja), this collage serves as a living map of South African resilience and creativity
Cultures are… a journey. What is yours?
The Journey Begins: An Inter-Provincial Grand Tour
Cultures are multifaceted, dynamic, and fundamental to South African identity. This visual journey, inspired by the spirit of a global expedition but rooted firmly in local soil, explores the “Cultures are…?” prompt through the work of 18 rising visual artists representing all nine provinces. By showcasing innovation for a better future, this collection offers a unique lens through which to understand and connect with the modern South African landscape.
The Western Cape: Urban Narratives and Intimate Identities
In the Western Cape, visual culture often bridges the gap between urban existentialism and historical reflection. Cinga Samson provides a powerful high-visibility anchor for this province. The work features portraits infused with local symbolism that speak to modern African identity and the complexities of the urban experience.
Joining this narrative is Shakil Solanki, whose practice explores intimacy and queer identity. Through delicate use of medium and composition, the artwork invites viewers into a private Cape landscape, challenging traditional perceptions of space and belonging.
Gauteng: Digital Innovation and Architectural Decay
Gauteng serves as a hub for rapid change and technological fusion. Banele Khoza exemplifies this through digital illustration and painting that focuses on soft masculinity and identity in the digital era. The work represents the “Innovation” pillar of South African creativity, blending traditional aesthetics with modern platforms.
Bevan de Wet offers a contrasting perspective by focusing on the physical structures of Johannesburg. Through printmaking and paper works, the artist explores urban architecture and socio-political decay, documenting how the built environment reflects the shifting history of the province.
KwaZulu-Natal: Ancestral Memory and Ritual
The visual language of KwaZulu-Natal is deeply tied to communal memory and ritual. Sthenjwa Luthuli uses carved wood panels to translate traditional African material practices into contemporary narratives. The intricate textures serve as a bridge between ancestral heritage and modern artistic expression.
Complementing this is Nontokozo Ntombela, whose mixed-media work and sculpture delve into ritual and tradition. By exploring the KZN landscape in relation to identity, the practice fosters empathy and shared humanity through cultural exploration (as mentioned previously we are still yet to source the specific primary works of Nontokozo Ntombela).
The Eastern Cape: Displacement and Cultural Fabric
In the Eastern Cape, rising artists often grapple with themes of displacement and the preservation of cultural practices. Asanda Kupa creates powerful depictions of peri-urban life and artwork that captures the energy and resilience of marginalized communities.
Yonela Makoba utilizes photography and installation to focus on Xhosa cultural practices. The work examines the changing socio-cultural fabric of the region, ensuring that “untold stories” are brought to the forefront of the national conversation.
The Free State: Digital Vanguards and Social Ecology
The Free State art scene is witnessing a rise in artists who blend local ecology with global digital trends. Lesego Motsiri, a New Breed Art Competition winner, investigates the relationship between traditional art and new media in Bloemfontein. This practice demonstrates a commitment to “Innovation for a Better Future”.
Linde Kriel uses printmaking and multi-media to explore social issues, mental health, and gender within a provincial context. The work provides a critical perspective on the visual ecology of small-town life, offering fresh insights into the South African interior.
The Northern Cape: Identity in the Vast Landscape
In the vast expanse of the Northern Cape, artists focus on the human face and the materials of the earth. Malik Mani creates hyperrealistic drawings that have garnered national recognition. The work focuses on identity and masking, capturing the specific faces of this often-underrepresented region.
Eugene Junior Oliphant adds to this provincial narrative through painting and mixed media. As a merit award recipient, the artist showcases emergent themes that validate the diversity of visual language outside major metropolitan hubs.
Mpumalanga: Cultural Textures and Urban-Rural Connections
Mpumalanga’s rising talent often focuses on the intricate connections between people and the land. Lesedi Ramushu provides a distinct cultural texture through printmaking. Utilizing traditional linocut methods, the work explores themes of heritage and community.
Michael Selekane explores the connection between urban and rural environments through heavy impasto painting. The work documents the migration of people and ideas, illustrating how cultures are dynamic and constantly in motion.
Limpopo: Mythology and Material Culture
Limpopo remains a bastion for artists who draw inspiration from indigenous mythology and local materials. Nandipha Jakuja utilizes ceramics and sculpture to explore myths and feminine power. By using clay from the northern context, the work emphasizes the “Beauty and Character” of local material culture (as mentioned previously, we are still yet to source the specific primary works of Nandipha Jakuja).
Mashudu Nevhutalu contributes vibrant, often abstract paintings that deal with Venda traditions. The work explores a spiritual connection to the land, ensuring that cultural specificities are explained respectfully and contextually.
The North West: Industrial History and Domesticity
The North West province offers a unique intersection of industrial heritage and rural life. Kagiso Patrick Mautloa uses painting and collage to represent the province’s unique history, including the impact of the mining sector. The collage format itself mirrors the fragmentation and reassembly of South African identity.
Phumzile Buthelezi focuses on rural domesticity and the relationship between individuals and the vast landscapes of the North West. Through printmaking and drawing, the artist provides a human-centric view of life in the province, fostering deeper understanding across cultural boundaries.
Strategic Directory: Where to Find and Follow the Artists
To support the CultureZA mission of fostering connection between practitioners and enthusiasts, the following directory outlines the primary galleries and platforms representing the 18 featured artists.
| Province | Artist | Primary Gallery / Platform |
| Western Cape | Cinga Samson | white cube (International), blank projects (Cape Town) |
| Shakil Solanki | SMAC Gallery | |
| Gauteng | Banele Khoza | BKhz Gallery |
| Bevan de Wet | David Krut Projects / Eleven Editions | |
| KwaZulu-Natal | Sthenjwa Luthuli | Whatiftheworld Gallery |
| Nontokozo Ntombela | KZN Society of Arts (KZNSA) / Instagram | |
| Eastern Cape | Asanda Kupa | 99 Loop Gallery / Everard Read |
| Yonela Makoba | Instagram (@yonelamakoba) / Various Residency Archives | |
| Free State | Lesego Motsiri | New Breed Art Competition / ArtbankSA |
| Linde Kriel | Oliewenhuis Art Museum / Sasol New Signatures | |
| Northern Cape | Malik Mani | Rust-en-Vrede Gallery / Portrait Award Archives |
| Eugene J. Oliphant | Northern Cape Arts & Culture Council (NCACC) | |
| Mpumalanga | Lesedi Ramushu | Innibos Arts Festival / Regional Art Banks |
| Michael Selekane | Association of Arts Pretoria / White River Gallery | |
| Limpopo | Nandipha Jakuja | Limpopo Art Museum / Instagram |
| Mashudu Nevhutalu | Everard Read / CIRCA Gallery | |
| North West | Kagiso P. Mautloa | Everard Read / Various National Collections |
| Phumzile Buthelezi | Bag Factory Artists’ Studios / Candice Berman Gallery |
2025/2026 Calendar: Residencies & Upcoming Exhibitions
Engaging with art in person is a transformative experience. Below are confirmed and recurring opportunities to see work by these artists and their peers during the 2025/2026 season.
Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
- Investec Cape Town Art Fair (February 2026): Look for Shakil Solanki and Sthenjwa Luthuli across various gallery booths. This is the largest contemporary art fair in Africa and a primary location for provincial discovery.
- Sasol New Signatures Finalists Exhibition (September – November Annually): Hosted at the Pretoria Art Museum. This is the definitive space to see work by Linde Kriel and other merit award winners from the interior provinces.
- Nando’s Creative Exchange (January – February 2026): Taking place at the AVA Gallery (Cape Town) and HUB Gallery, this exhibition frequently features rising talents from all nine provinces who have participated in the Nando’s artist development programs.
- Solo Exhibition: Juandré van Eck (2026): Following the 2025 win at Sasol New Signatures, this solo show at the Pretoria Art Museum will be a highlight for those following the “rising artist” trajectory.
Notable Residencies
- Zeitz MOCAA Atelier Residency (Cape Town): A recurring program for artists living and working in South Africa.
- The Bag Factory Artists’ Studios (Johannesburg): Frequently hosts residents like Phumzile Buthelezi, providing a collaborative space for North West and Gauteng practitioners.
- ArtbankSA Residency & Acquisition Program: A critical resource for artists in the Free State and Northern Cape, ensuring that work from these regions is collected and preserved by the state.
To further enrich the “Around the Land in Artsy Ways” feature for CultureZA, this section provides essential details on where to find the featured artists’ work, their current professional milestones, and upcoming opportunities for the public to engage with their practices.
Strategic Directory: Where to Find and Follow the Artists
To support the CultureZA mission of fostering connection between practitioners and enthusiasts, the following directory outlines the primary galleries and platforms representing the 18 featured artists.
| Province | Artist | Primary Gallery / Platform |
| Western Cape | Cinga Samson | white cube (International), blank projects (Cape Town) |
| Shakil Solanki | SMAC Gallery | |
| Gauteng | Banele Khoza | BKhz Gallery |
| Bevan de Wet | David Krut Projects / Eleven Editions | |
| KwaZulu-Natal | Sthenjwa Luthuli | Whatiftheworld Gallery |
| Nontokozo Ntombela | KZN Society of Arts (KZNSA) / Instagram | |
| Eastern Cape | Asanda Kupa | 99 Loop Gallery / Everard Read |
| Yonela Makoba | Instagram (@yonelamakoba) / Various Residency Archives | |
| Free State | Lesego Motsiri | New Breed Art Competition / ArtbankSA |
| Linde Kriel | Oliewenhuis Art Museum / Sasol New Signatures | |
| Northern Cape | Malik Mani | Rust-en-Vrede Gallery / Portrait Award Archives |
| Eugene J. Oliphant | Northern Cape Arts & Culture Council (NCACC) | |
| Mpumalanga | Lesedi Ramushu | Innibos Arts Festival / Regional Art Banks |
| Michael Selekane | Association of Arts Pretoria / White River Gallery | |
| Limpopo | Nandipha Jakuja | Limpopo Art Museum / Instagram |
| Limpopo | Mashudu Nevhutalu | Everard Read / CIRCA Gallery |
| North West | Kagiso P. Mautloa | Everard Read / Various National Collections |
| Phumzile Buthelezi | Bag Factory Artists’ Studios / Candice Berman Gallery |
2025/2026 Calendar: Residencies & Upcoming Exhibitions
Engaging with art in person is a transformative experience. Below are confirmed and recurring opportunities to see work by these artists and their peers during the 2025/2026 season.
Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
- Investec Cape Town Art Fair (February 2026): Look for Shakil Solanki and Sthenjwa Luthuli across various gallery booths. This is the largest contemporary art fair in Africa and a primary location for provincial discovery.
- Sasol New Signatures Finalists Exhibition (September – November Annually): Hosted at the Pretoria Art Museum. This is the definitive space to see work by Linde Kriel and other merit award winners from the interior provinces.
- Nando’s Creative Exchange (January – February 2026): Taking place at the AVA Gallery (Cape Town) and HUB Gallery, this exhibition frequently features rising talents from all nine provinces who have participated in the Nando’s artist development programs.
- Solo Exhibition: Juandré van Eck (2026): Following the 2025 win at Sasol New Signatures, this solo show at the Pretoria Art Museum will be a highlight for those following the “rising artist” trajectory.
Notable Residencies
- Zeitz MOCAA Atelier Residency (Cape Town): A recurring program for artists living and working in South Africa.
- The Bag Factory Artists’ Studios (Johannesburg): Frequently hosts residents like Phumzile Buthelezi, providing a collaborative space for North West and Gauteng practitioners.
- ArtbankSA Residency & Acquisition Program: A critical resource for artists in the Free State and Northern Cape, ensuring that work from these regions is collected and preserved by the state.
Sources & References
The “Around the Land in Artsy Ways” project draws on data and research from the following institutions and publications:
- South African Cultural Observatory (SACO): Demographic and economic sector reports (2024/25).
- Sasol New Signatures: Annual archives of finalists and merit award winners.
- State of the Art Gallery: Research into emerging artist visibility and commercial criteria.
- Assitej South Africa: Reports on the “Cradle of Creativity” and provincial arts outreach.
- Standard Bank Young Artist Awards: Historical data on career trajectories in the visual arts.
Disclosure: AI tools, including Gemini, were used in the research, data synthesis, and drafting stages of this article. The content has been verified against institutional archives and edited by the CultureZA Writer to ensure professional accuracy and alignment with our 2025/26 Content Plan.
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