Botswana artist Kelebogile Marope has won the 2026 FNB Art Prize, becoming the first artist from Botswana to receive the award since its launch. FNB Art Joburg announced the win on 12 August 2026, naming Marope the 16th recipient of the prize, which is presented annually at Africa’s longest-running contemporary art fair.
About the prize
Now in its 19th edition, FNB Art Joburg positions the prize as a central part of its mandate to support African art beyond the run of the fair itself. The 2026 jury was made up of three people: Kim Kandan, the fair’s manager; Mike Mavura, a curator; and Véronique Savigné, an interior designer and art collector.
In its statement, the jury singled out Marope’s command of sculpture, a medium it noted has historically been dominated by men, and the precision she has brought to it. The panel described her practice as rooted in place while pushing at the boundaries of the medium.
Marope’s win places her alongside 15 previous recipients: 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.
The practice
Marope’s work sits at the intersection of sculpture, drawing and mixed media, built around questions of memory, identity and domestic space. She turns to everyday materials and architectural detail as raw subject matter, tracing how routine and ritual shape a sense of home.
Born in Ramotswa, Botswana, she completed a Bachelor of Fine Art and later a Master of Fine Art at Rhodes University. Her work has since been shown in both Botswana and South Africa.
“Each year, the FNB Art Prize recognises an artist whose practice expands the conversations shaping contemporary African art. Kelebogile’s work demonstrates a remarkable sensitivity to material, memory and lived experience, transforming the everyday into something profoundly resonant. As the first artist from Botswana to receive the prize, her recognition also reflects the depth of artistic excellence emerging from across the continent, reaffirming our commitment to championing voices that deserve greater visibility” affirmed Mandla Sibeko, director of FNB Art Joburg.
“For FNB, supporting the arts is about enabling the art of possibility. It is about backing the ideas, imagination and talent that challenge convention, inspire new ways of thinking and help shape the future. Through our longstanding partnership with Art Joburg, we have remained committed to creating meaningful opportunities for artists to be discovered, recognised and celebrated, while contributing to the growth of a vibrant and sustainable creative ecosystem across the continent. We believe that investing in creativity is an investment in Africa’s future. By supporting platforms that champion both emerging and established artists, we are helping to create pathways for talent to be discovered, celebrated and recognised on a global stage. The arts play a vital role in shaping culture, inspiring new perspectives and telling the stories that define who we are. Through our longstanding partnership with Art Joburg, we remain committed to empowering African artists to amplify their voices, influence cultural conversations and realise their full potential both locally and internationally,” adds Kachingwe-Sisya.
The FNB Art Prize forms part of FNB Art Joburg’s long-term commitment to building a stronger and more self-reliant contemporary African art ecosystem. By recognising artists from across the continent and providing a platform that extends beyond the fair itself, the prize invests in sustained artistic careers while broadening the narratives represented within the global cultural landscape. Marope’s recognition signals the importance of supporting excellence wherever it emerges, strengthening regional artistic networks and creating opportunities for African artists to thrive on their own terms.
As the winner of the 2026 Prize, the artist will receive a cash prize as well as a solo exhibition at Johannesburg Art Gallery: home of the continent’s largest art collection. The solo exhibition will take place in 2027.
