Cape Town, South Africa – On 4 February 2025, the Norval Foundation, in collaboration with The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF), will officially unveil the Norval Sovereign African Art Prize (NSAAP) 2025 sponsored by Schroders Finalists’ Exhibition. This marks the fourth year of the prestigious award, which celebrates contemporary artists from Africa and its diaspora. The exhibition will be open to the public at the Norval Foundation from 4 February to 20 April 2025.
The Finalists’ Exhibition showcases the work of 26 artists from 16 African nationalities, offering a dynamic and diverse representation of contemporary African art. The featured artworks span various mediums – including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media – and reflect the unique cultural narratives, social commentary, and innovative practices that define the continent’s art scene today.
The Prize invites contemporary artists, nominated by a board of independent art professionals, to enter online. The judging panel then shortlists the best artworks from a range of digital images.
The judges will visit the exhibition in person and select their Grand Prize winner, the name of who will be announced on 18 February 2025. This artist will receive a cash prize of US$35,000 and a solo exhibition at the Foundation in 2026; in addition will be the announcement of the first-ever FAMM Women’s Prize winner, who receives a $5,000 cash prize. The invite only event will celebrate the outstanding talent of contemporary African artists, and coincide with not only Investec Cape Town Art Fair week but the exhibition opening of Billie Zangewa: Breeding Ground at Norval Foundation.
The NSAAP is also a key fundraising initiative for the Norval Foundation Learning Centre, which supports art education and community engagement. To further this mission, an online benefit auction hosted by Strauss & Co will run from 4 February to 13 March 2025 featuring all shortlisted artworks. Proceeds from the auction will be split between the artists and the Learning Centre, furthering both individual careers and educational outreach.
Previous winners of The NSAAP include Famakan Magassa (b.1997, Mali), Bonolo Kavula (b.1992, South Africa), and Alioune Daigne (b. 1985, Senegal).
The Norval Sovereign African Art Prize 2025 Sponsored by Schroders Finalists’ Exhibition is curated by Carmen Joubert. Click here for full list of participating artists.
BENEFIT AUCTION
Strauss & Co is the host of this year’s prestigious benefit auction on behalf of the fourth exhibition of The Norval Sovereign African Art Prize 2025, sponsored by Schroders.
The Norval Sovereign African Art Prize 2025 continues to support contemporary artists working in Africa or within the African diaspora by expanding their international reach in the global art market while also raising funds for arts education initiatives across the continent. A collaboration between The Sovereign Art Foundation and the Norval Foundation, the Prize celebrates the work of some of the most significant contemporary artists today.
The 28 finalists will showcase their shortlisted artworks at an exhibition at the Norval Foundation in Cape Town, open to the public from 4 February to 20 April 2025. All works are offered on this Strauss & Co online auction. The auction aims to generate significant funds for both the shortlisted artists and Norval Foundation’s Learning Centre, with proceeds split equally.
The Grand Prize, to be announced on 18 February, includes a cash award of $35 000, and a two-week artist residency, hosted by Outset Contemporary Art Fund in London. Additionally, the public is invited to vote for their favourite artist and artwork, with the most popular receiving The Public Vote Prize of $2 000. New to this year, the FAMM Women’s Prize is awarded to the highest-rated female artist (excluding the Grand Prize Winner). This artist will receive $5 000 in cash, generously donated by the sponsors of this special prize, Femmes Artistes du Musée de Mougins (FAMM).
For Shipping enquires, please contact: Jenna-Leigh Kleingeld +27 (0)87 654 5900 accounts@norvalfoundation.org
For Condition enquiries, please contact: Carmen Joubert +27 (0)67 375 7791 carmen.joubert@norvalfoundation.org
For Auction enquiries, please contact: 011 728 8246 / jhb@starussart.co.za OR 021 683 6560 / ct@starussart.co.za
