BMW South Africa, in collaboration with FNB Art Joburg, presents The BMW Art Generation Vol. IV, an exhibition featuring contemporary African and diasporic artists. The exhibition runs alongside a public programme of talks and music, and unfolds across The BMW Art Haus in Parktown North and the MAX section at FNB Art Joburg’s 19th edition.

“At BMW, we believe art has the power to connect people, open new perspectives and deepen our understanding of the world around us,” says Taz Ramphisa, general manager: customer & brand of BMW South Africa. “The BMW Art Generation reflects our commitment to creativity, cultural exchange and meaningful engagement with contemporary African art. By creating spaces for discovery, reflection and exchange, we aim to support the ideas, voices and practices that continue to shape the continent’s cultural landscape.”

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The two sites form one exhibition across the city, allowing audiences to view the work at The BMW Art Haus and at the fair.

At the centre of this year’s edition is From Whose Waters Do We Drink?, a framework conceptualised by Kim Kandan. The framework asks audiences to consider the knowledge systems, references and inheritances that shape how people understand the world, and where that knowledge comes from, who carries it and how it continues to evolve.

Rather than treating indigenous knowledge systems as belonging only to the past, the exhibition considers how these systems remain present, active and generative in contemporary life and artistic practice. Participating artists respond to questions of memory, place, identity, transmission and ways of knowing.

During the opening weekend, visitors can move between exhibitions, conversations, books, food, wine and music.

The exhibition features Professor Berni Searle, Bronwyn Katz, Cheriese Maharaj, donna Kukama, Dr George Mahashe, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi, Kamil Hassim, Kamva Matuis, Kemang Wa Lehulere, Lady Skollie, Lebohang Kganye, Lindokuhle Sobekwa, Nolan Oswald Dennis, Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum, Paulo Nazareth, Portia Zvavahera, Robin Rhode, Simnikiwe Buhlungu and Yinka Shonibare.

BMW South Africa says The BMW Art Generation is an extension of BMW Collectors Co.’s work building relationships between audiences, artists and ideas, and reflects the company’s engagement with contemporary culture. Its presentation alongside FNB Art Joburg connects the platform to the fair’s work developing African art ecosystems and creating opportunities for audiences to encounter artists and practices from across the continent.

“The BMW Art Generation has always been about more than introducing people to contemporary African art. It is about creating conditions for meaningful engagement. Every encounter contributes to an ecosystem where knowledge is shared across generations, and collecting begins with understanding. This year’s theme invites us to reflect not only on what we know, but where that knowledge comes from and how we ensure it continues to flow into the future,” says Mandla Sibeko, director of FNB Art Joburg.

A weekend of art, ideas, food and music

The BMW Art Generation Vol. IV opens at The BMW Art Haus on Saturday, 29 August, and Sunday, 30 August 2026, with a programme across both sites.

Doors open at 11:00, with a guided walkabout through From Whose Waters Do We Drink? at The BMW Art Haus at 12:00. The walkabout will cover how participating artists respond to this year’s conceptual framework and engage with indigenous knowledge systems in contemporary contexts.

At 13:00 and 15:00, conversations will explore the ideas, histories and questions at the centre of From Whose Waters Do We Drink?, featuring voices from across the continent.

Throughout the day, a reading room and bookstore by Jonathan Ball will offer a selection of literary titles related to the exhibition, its artists and the ideas shaping this year’s edition.

Between exhibitions and conversations, audiences can gather over local food, South African Methode Cap Classique and wine.

Music runs each day from 16:00 to 20:00, with DJ sets and a headline performance. Thando Zide will headline Saturday’s programme, while Nduduzo Makhathini will headline Sunday’s.

The BMW Art Haus opens for free viewing

Following the opening weekend, The BMW Art Haus will reopen from 3 to 6 September 2026, with free entry, allowing visitors to return to the exhibition at their own pace.

Tickets and reservations for The BMW Art Generation are available HERE

Entry to FNB Art Joburg is ticketed separately and can be accessed HERE