Zimbabwean visual artist Gresham Nyaude was recently named the 2024 winner of the FNB Joburg Art Fair.
Nyaude becomes the fourth Zimbabwean to receive this prestigious award, joining the ranks of previous winners such as Lindokuhle Sobekwa, Dada Khanyisa, Wycliffe Mundopa, Lady Skollie, Bronwyn Katz, Haroon Gunn-Salie, Peju Alatise, Nolan Oswald Dennis, Turiya Magadlela, Portia Zvavahera, Nelisiwe Xaba, Mocke J van Veuren and Kudzanai Chiurai.
The FNB Joburg Art Fair was held from September 6 to 8 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The accolade comes on the heels of Nyaude’s fourth solo exhibition at First Floor Gallery in Harare, titled Immanentize the Eschaton.
Nyaude was also a finalist for the 2023 Norval Sovereign Foundation Art Prize.
As the 2024 FNB Joburg Art Prize winner, Nyaude received a cash prize and a solo exhibition at the Johannesburg Art Gallery.
Zimbabwean art collector Peggy Mapondera, who attended the art fair, said it “exceeded my expectations”.
“It was an immersive experience that reawakened my passion for art and left me excited for what the future holds for African contemporary art,” Mapondera wrote on visual arts news site artweb.
Her collection includes some of the leading contemporary artists practising in Zimbabwe today.
“This year, I attended the FNB Joburg Art Fair for the third time in a row, and once again, it was nothing short of wonderful,” she said. “What you want out of a fair is some familiarity, but also new discoveries that inspire and reawaken your love for art. This is exactly what the FNB Fair delivered this year.”
She toured several booths, including the Stevenson Gallery, which she described as both “cozy” and well set up, with some truly fascinating works on display”.
“One piece I kept coming back to was Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi’s painting titled Spectator II (2024). It drew me in with its depth and power, leaving a lasting impression throughout my visit.”
A number of Zimbabwean artists were represented at the art fair, including Troy Makaza, Wallen Mapondera and Misheck Masamvu, among others.
“Makaza’s work at the First Floor Gallery booth is always a pleasure to see, and this year was no different. His creativity and innovative approach to material are unparalleled.
“Another standout was Waiting for Love by artist Doudou Mbemba. The presence of galleries from outside Southern Africa, like the Congolese gallery Malabo, was refreshing, and I truly hope they return to future fairs.”
