Portrait Award Top 40
Date
Artists
Ashley Ogilvy, Aubrey Monamodi, Baxolise Hanise, Christelle du Plessis, Danielle Pretorius-van Wyk, Dee Rudram-Ellis, Donna McKellar, Elmarie Smuts, Elsire Roos, Gary McIver, Hannah Anderson, Heidi Botha, James Labuschagne, Jeanette du Plessis, Joseph Dolby, Lauryn Arnott, Lena Hugo, Lindie van der Merwe, Malik Mani, Marinda Combrinck, Matthew Blackburn, Michelle Solomon, Monique Day-Wilde, Nabeel Monier, Penny Simpson, Rene Snyman, Richard Bollers, Ruan Huisamen, Sebastiaan Theart, Senzelw’umusa Mathe, Shany van den Berg, Tessa Smit, Terry Mabuni, Themba Mkhangeli, Tiffany Baxter, Tiffany Onderstall
For more Info, contact us on: gallery@kznsagallery.co.za
The Rust‑en‑Vrede Portrait Award has, since its launch in 2013, established itself as South Africa’s foremost celebration of contemporary portraiture. Inspired by the BP Portrait Award in the United Kingdom, it was conceived to elevate the practice of portraiture locally and to provide artists with a fair and rigorous platform.
This biennial competition has grown into a cornerstone of the national art calendar, drawing hundreds of entries from across South Africa. From these, the Top 100 are selected, culminating in the celebrated Top 40 exhibition. The award has consistently raised public awareness of portraiture, while encouraging experimentation across a wide range of media and approaches. It affirms portraiture as a dynamic practice that continues to evolve, reflecting both personal and collective identities.
The KZNSA Gallery is honoured to host the travelling exhibition, welcoming audiences in KwaZulu‑Natal into dialogue with this national showcase. We are excited to share the diversity, innovation, and creative energy represented in the Portrait Award, affirming portraiture as a vital tool for reflection, dialogue, and transformation.
