South Africa’s next generation of artists stepped into the spotlight in Cape Town as this year’s Junior Portrait Awards celebrated young creatives whose work explores identity, emotion and contemporary social issues, Cape {town}Etc reports.
Among the standout winners was 17-year-old Western Cape learner Kenah Seba, whose thought-provoking portrait secured third place in the national competition.
Hosted by Rust-en-Vrede Gallery in Durbanville, the awards have steadily expanded into one of the country’s leading platforms for emerging artists aged 16 to 18, creating opportunities for young creatives to showcase their work before wider audiences while gaining valuable recognition early in their artistic careers.
Young artists use portraiture to tell powerful stories as national competition continues to grow
Rust-en-Vrede Gallery curator Donavan Mynhardt said one of the most rewarding aspects of the competition is witnessing how young artists embrace portraiture as a storytelling medium.
‘One of the most rewarding aspects of the Junior Portrait Awards is seeing young artists engage so thoughtfully with portraiture and storytelling. These awards provide a platform for emerging creatives to gain recognition for their talent and grow in confidence. Supporting artists at this stage of their journey is important, because today’s young artists are the voices that will shape the future of South African art.’
This year’s overall winner was 18-year-old Weliswa Mdluli from Mpumalanga for her portrait Make Me Pretty. Second place went to 18-year-old Allegra du Randt from KwaZulu-Natal for If He Could, while Seba claimed third place with Assessing the Damages. Sixteen-year-old Luche van Jaarsveld from Gauteng received the Merit Award for Kaleidoscope of Becoming.
Seba’s mixed-media portrait examines the impact of animal testing, combining oil paint with textured materials to encourage viewers to reflect on humanity’s treatment of laboratory animals.
The piece stands out for pairing technical skill with a strong social message, illustrating how portraiture can extend beyond capturing a likeness to spark meaningful conversation.
Reflecting on the achievement, Seba said the recognition has strengthened confidence in pursuing art professionally.
‘Being recognised in the Junior Portrait Awards at this stage in my life means a great deal to me, especially as I begin thinking about my future and pursuing art as a career. It has given me confidence that people connect with my work and that I am on the right path. Opportunities like this are so important for young artists, as they provide a platform to showcase our voices, build connections and realise that it is possible to turn our passion into something meaningful.’
The competition has grown significantly since launching as a local initiative in 2023 for Durbanville schools. After expanding nationally in 2024 with just over 100 entries, organisers say this year’s edition attracted 232 submissions from across South Africa, reflecting growing interest among young artists.
Prize winners received art vouchers to support their creative development, while the Merit Award included a curated art hamper sponsored by Artwire.
The winning works, together with the shortlisted finalists, are now on display at Rust-en-Vrede Gallery, giving the public an opportunity to experience the perspectives and creative voices emerging from South Africa’s next generation of artists.
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Picture: Supplied
