What to Expect at FNB Art Joburg 2025

The 18th edition of FNB Art Joburg will take place from 5 to 7 September at the Sandton Convention Centre. The annual event is crucial to nurturing and sustaining a commercial and cultural ecosystem, which focuses on artists and creatives from across the continent.

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied

As Africa’s leading and longest-running contemporary art fair, FNB Art Joburg 2025 promises to immerse the city in the best of the continent’s art, artists, and galleries.

“FNB’s longstanding partnership with Art Joburg reflects our unwavering belief in the prowess of African talent and our commitment to supporting the growth of the continent’s creative economy.  As part of our Grassroots to Greatness sponsorship strategy, we go beyond traditional banking to actively help individuals and communities reach their potential. Through this partnership, we facilitate access to global markets, providing African artists with opportunities to showcase their work on the global stage,” says FNB’s Chief Marketing Officer, Faye Mfikwe.

This year’s edition revives a jam-packed lineup of the best in contemporary culture, including Open City (28 August – 11 September). Taking on a hybrid approach where curatorial and commercial interventions meet, the fair is curated into seven specialised sections: gallery HUB, gallery LAB, MAX, ETC, ORG, AUX and GIF sections.

gallery HUB

The fair’s central section, presents the best in contemporary art from across the continent and the world. The showcase reflects the fair’s objective to be a ‘quality rather than quantity’ focused fair. This year’s gallery HUB exhibitors include:

• BKhz
• blank
• Eclectica Contemporary
• Everard Read
• First Floor Gallery Harare
• Gallery MOMO
• Goodman Gallery
• Kalashnikovv
• Stevenson
• Afriart Gallery

gallery LAB

This section presents and tests new ideas and business models aimed at transforming the contemporary African art landscape. The 2025 gallery LAB exhibitors include:

• 16/16
• Modzi Arts Gallery
• ORA LOAPI
• Wunika Mukan Gallery
• Windsor Gallery
• Galarie Malabo
• Kianda Contemporary Art Project
• The Space Ethiopia
• Koko TEN
• kumalo | turpin
• Rangi Gallery
• Forster-Gallery Zanzibar
• Citizen Projects
• Yenwa
• Village UNHU

MAX

MAX houses installations or works that would present a challenge if presented in the conventionally sized gallery booth.

ETC

ETC offers an abundance of books, prints, catalogues and zines. This year’s offering will include:

• Artist Proof Studios
• Jonathan Ball/ Exclusive Books
• Loft Editions
• Fresco Gallery
• ArtThrob
• Pulp Paper works
• iwalewa books
• BMW Reading Lounge

ORG

ORG redefines how the public engages with art-focused organisations like museums, universities or private institutions. The section is a hands-on approach to examining bodies that were established for the good of the public. Audiences will have the opportunity to engage with institutions, including Exhibition Match, Zeitz MOCAA and DIKAN Centre.

AUX

This section brings industry leaders to the public to explore a plethora of topics impacting the contemporary art world through talks, screenings, public lectures, and audio essays.

GIF

GIF spotlights works by artists operating in the medium of film and photography

“As a bank that is deeply invested in the creative economy, our goal is to make art appreciation, creation, and ownership accessible. Moreover, we are energised by another opportunity to provide a platform for an outstanding African artist through the FNB Art Prize. We are confident that we will once again effectively support the cultivation of African creative talent and expression, elevating African art and artists to new heights,” says Faye. | artjoburg.com

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