Botswana’s Kelebogile Marope wins 2026 FNB Art Prize

Botswana's Kelebogile Marope has been announced as the winner of the 2026 FNB Art Prize, marking the first time a Botswanan artist has received this prestigious honor. The news came on Wednesday, 12 August, prior to the 19th edition of FNB Art Joburg. Marope's achievement underscores the strength and diversity of contemporary African creativity, according to FNB Chief Marketing Officer Linda Kachingwe-Sisya.

She added that Marope's work "is both deeply personal and universally resonant, demonstrating the power of art to connect us to place, memory and one another."

For Botswana, Marope's win is a significant milestone in the country's burgeoning arts scene. She told the prize committee that the recognition "has given me a huge voice." Marope believes this voice will help build companies and infrastructure in Southern Africa, enabling the region to stand on its own.

Marope's artistic practice spans sculpture, drawing and mixed media, delving into themes of memory, identity and the spaces people inhabit. Drawing inspiration from domestic environments and everyday materials, she examines how objects, surfaces and architectural details can evoke memories and reflect experiences of home and belonging.

Born in Ramotswa, Botswana, Marope pursued Fine Art at Rhodes University, earning both a Bachelor of Fine Art and a Master of Fine Art. Her work has been exhibited in Botswana and South Africa, and she continues to expand her multidisciplinary practice. The FNB Art Prize, part of FNB Art Joburg's efforts to support contemporary African artists, will grant Marope a cash prize and a solo exhibition at the Johannesburg Art Gallery in 2027.