by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – BOTSWANA artist Kelebogile Marope has been named the winner of the 2026 FNB Art Prize, marking a significant milestone for her career and for Botswana’s growing contemporary art scene.
The announcement was made by FNB Art Joburg in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 12 August, as Africa’s longest-running contemporary art fair prepares for its 19th edition.
Marope becomes the first artist from Botswana to receive the prestigious prize, which forms part of FNB Art Joburg’s long-term commitment to supporting African artists and strengthening the continent’s cultural ecosystem.
The three-member jury, comprising Kim Kandan, Mike Mavura and Véronique Savigné, praised Marope for expanding the possibilities of contemporary African sculpture.
The jury highlighted her technical skill, precision and ability to transform a traditionally male-dominated medium into a distinctive artistic language rooted in place and imagination.
Working across sculpture, drawing and mixed media, Marope explores memory, identity and the spaces people inhabit.
Her work draws on domestic environments and everyday materials, examining how ordinary objects, architectural details and familiar surfaces can preserve personal and collective experiences.
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 while developing a multidisciplinary practice that has attracted increasing regional recognition.
FNB Chief Marketing Officer Linda Kachingwe-Sisya congratulated Marope, describing her work as deeply personal while also connecting with universal experiences of place, memory and belonging.
“Her achievement reflects not only her exceptional talent and dedication, but also the growing strength, diversity and global relevance of contemporary African creativity,” Kachingwe-Sisya said.
FNB Art Joburg director Mandla Sibeko said Marope’s work demonstrates “remarkable sensitivity to material, memory and lived experience”, adding that her recognition reflects the depth of artistic excellence emerging across Africa.
The prize is designed to support artists beyond the annual fair, helping create pathways for African creative talent to gain greater visibility and develop sustainable careers.
As the 2026 recipient, Marope will receive a cash prize and a solo exhibition at Johannesburg Art Gallery, home to the continent’s largest art collection.
The exhibition is scheduled for 2027.
Her achievement not only celebrates an accomplished artist, but also highlights Botswana’s contribution to Africa’s increasingly influential contemporary art landscape, while reinforcing the importance of investing in artistic voices from across the continent.
– CAJ News