Competition opens

Entries for the 7th edition of the Rust-en-Vrede Portrait Award will officially open on Thursday June 5.

- STAFF REPORTER

Established in 2013 and held every two years, the award offers artists the chance to compete for a share of R200 000 in prize money and the opportunity for a solo exhibition.

The Top 40 finalists will also be featured in a group exhibition and included in a national touring show. With a shorter entry window this year, submissions will be accepted from 9am on Thursday June 5 until 5pm on Saturday June 14.

Portraiture remains a vital form of storytelling and a mirror to both personal and collective experience. “A portrait says so much more ... you have to include the psychology and background of the person. We encourage entries that push the boundaries of what a portrait can be — works that explore identity, emotion and the complexity of human connection,” says Donavan Mynhardt, curator at Rust-en-Vrede Gallery.

The 2025 Portrait Award continues to champion inclusivity and artistic innovation, offering a platform for emerging and established talent alike.

“This competition is about providing a playing field for all and celebrating meaningful artistic expression. Portraiture remains one of the most accessible and relatable genres in art history - a genre that speaks directly to our shared humanity,” says Mynhardt.

The Rust-en-Vrede Portrait Award is committed to nurturing diverse and emerging artistic voices.