In what has become one of the most anticipated moments on Africa’s cultural calendar, the Investec Cape Town Art Fair has announced the recipients of its 2026 prizes — five awards that offer more than applause. They offer momentum.
Now in its 13th edition, the fair continues to position itself not only as a marketplace, but as a launchpad. This year’s prize programme includes two new awards — the ORMS International Photography Prize and the Materiality Prize in partnership with Homo Faber — signalling where contemporary art is heading: towards process, tactility and expanded mediums.
Tomorrows/Today: A Platform for New Voices
The Tomorrows/Today Prize, supported by Fiera Milano Exhibitions Africa, was awarded to Chidirim Nwaubani, represented by Doyle Wham. The prize recognises an artist whose work captures the spirit of the Tomorrows/Today section — dedicated to emerging and under-represented voices pushing the boundaries of contemporary practice.
“Tomorrows/Today remains one of the most important spaces within the fair,” says Fair Director Laura Vincenti. “It’s where new ideas are tested, where audiences encounter artists at pivotal moments, and where the future of contemporary art often first reveals itself.”
Visibility Beyond the Fair
The RDC Art Collection Award was presented to Mellaney Roberts, represented by Berman Contemporary. Unlike many acquisition prizes, this award offers sustained visibility: the winning work will be exhibited within one of RDC’s landmark buildings, extending its life far beyond the fair’s four-day run.
Roberts views the recognition as deeply communal. “With the community that I grew up with in Bobbejaanskloof and in a sense of identity. So, it's not just for me, but it's also about taking it back to my community, showing them the appreciation and the hard work that went into excavating their memories, identity, and what land means to us.”
Supporting Emerging South African Talent
Now in its second year, the Investec Emerging Artist Award went to Warren Maroon, represented by Everard Read. The award supports South African artists producing world-class work who are not yet affiliated with an institution, museum or collection — offering recognition that can accelerate a career and open international doors.
Maroon’s sculptures transform the detritus of everyday life into layered forms of meaning, reflecting both lived experience and his upbringing in the Cape Flats. It is work rooted in place, yet resonant far beyond it.
Photography as Critical Tool
The inaugural ORMS International Photography Prize was awarded to Sibusiso Bheka, represented by Afronova. In a world saturated with images, Bheka’s practice treats photography not merely as documentation, but as a conceptual and critical medium. “The win for me represents hope and also patience,” highlights Bheka.
The prize includes a substantial cash award and a Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 printer, enabling the production of museum-quality archival prints up to A2 — practical support that strengthens both production and presentation.
Material as Meaning
The Materiality Prize, presented in partnership with Homo Faber, was awarded to Amy Rusch, represented by Suburbia Contemporary. For Rusch, material is not simply a vehicle, but meaning itself.
The prize includes an all-expenses-paid invitation to participate in the Homo Faber Fellowship Masterclass in Venice — an eight-month international craft training programme that bridges generations of making and design. Maria Ribas, Gallery Manager at Suburbia Contemporary, shared her pride: “We are very glad that she won the prize, because she's working in critical environment discourse.”
At a moment when the art world is rediscovering tactility and process, this award positions artists within a global conversation about what it means to make with one’s hands.
Why Prizes Matter
“Prizes are not just acknowledgements; they create momentum,” says Vincenti. “They offer visibility, confidence, and, in many cases, a turning point. For an artist, winning can mean the difference between being seen and being overlooked, between an international opportunity and waiting another year.”
The 2026 prize programme reflects the fair’s growing global relevance. By foregrounding emerging talent, photography and material experimentation, the fair reinforces its role as a site where careers are shaped and contemporary conversations sharpened.
In a landscape where recognition can redefine trajectory, these five awards do more than celebrate excellence. They signal belief — and that, in itself, can change everything.
Credits
Images: Anton Schultz
