New Lines of Latitude for African Art

Returning to Shepstone Gardens from 22 to 24 May for its fourth edition, the much-anticipated RMB Latitudes Art Fair will bring together Africa’s most compelling artistic voices across art, design and architecture.

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Known for its distinctive model prioritising exchange, sustainability and long-term visibility, the RMB Latitudes Art Fair once again leads the way as the showcase for contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora.

“Our priority is, and always has been, to put artists first – centring their voices, supporting their long-term visibility, and building pathways for sustainable practice. RMB Latitudes reimagines how the art ecosystem can work more inclusively, for artists and for the wider cultural community,” says Lucy MacGarry, co-founder and director of Latitudes.

Deepening the continental exchange, the Fair’s 2026 international focus turns to Nigeria, shining a spotlight on one of Africa’s most dynamic creative ecosystems.

“RMB is committed to helping to build a sustainable art economy across Africa and strengthening cultural development,” says RMB’s Alison Badenhorst. “With a strong presence on the continent, we can bridge markets, drive engagement and support artists, curators, collectors and audiences to reach new local and global opportunities. Through RMB Latitudes, we aim to unlock talent and enable creativity to thrive.”

The Focus programme reflects RMB Latitudes’ model of sustained, in-country engagement. Rather than showcasing countries only during the Fair, Latitudes works with local partners in advance to stage exhibitions, build networks and create context – prioritising long-term exchange over one-off presentations.

“Through the Focus programme, we build genuine relationships on the ground,” says Latitudes’ Boitumelo Makousu. “By working within each country first – meeting artists, curators and galleries in their own contexts – we create presentations that feel collaborative and sustained rather than extractive. Nigeria has a powerful creative community, and we’re excited to deepen those exchanges and bring that energy into the Fair.”

This year, the Fair has partnered with the National Arts Council (NAC) for INDEX 2026 – a successful platform dedicated to independent and emerging artistic practices. Presented within RMB Latitudes 2026, INDEX will bring together a dynamic selection of artists from across the continent. The exhibition will include a curated presentation within the Latitudes programme, alongside artists selected through the NAC’s open-call process – creating a layered and inclusive platform for discovery.

The historic terraced grounds of Shepstone Gardens provide the perfect setting for this year’s Fair theme, ‘Oasis’, which reflects on the improbability of creative flourishing in unlikely places. The theme examines how creativity, like water, sustains and regenerates life in unexpected environments.

“The Fair embraces Johannesburg’s spirit of resilience and renewal, affirming the arts’ capacity to nourish, connect and reimagine the cultural landscape,” says Denzo Nyathi, curator and head of sales. “It also draws inspiration from the gardens that host the Fair each year – a carefully tended pocket of green within an urban context.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit latitudesartfair.com

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