>
Fairgoers stop at the Stevenson booth in the gallery HUB section during the 17th edition of FNB Art Joburg. (Courtesy of FNB Art Joburg)
Intervention of Interest

Johannesburg: Home to the pulse of contemporary African art with FNB Art Joburg

A blue-chip contemporary African art destination, Johannesburg’s artists, curators, galleries, academics, and collectors are wayfarers in the global ecosystem. Parallel to their captivating displays of talent; the practitioners that occupy this city actively redefine the way we think about identity, culture, and the future. Johannesburg is a city of contemporary art firsts. Spanning galleries, biennales, art fairs and market breakthroughs, the city has and continues to play a pivotal role in asserting the African continent as a leader.

From Goodman Gallery to BKhz, Johannesburg’s contemporary art spaces have become key players in the global conversation about the future of African art. At Goodman Gallery, a demonstration of the gallery as a cultural bridge prioritises cross-continental exchange, taking African narratives abroad while bringing international perspectives to the African continent. Whether Leonardo Drew, Carrie Mae Weems, Carlos Garaicoa, or Hank Willis Thomas, these internationally acclaimed artists called Johannesburg their first home on the continent. Also home to galleries established and owned by black gallerists — Gallery MOMO and BKhz — Johannesburg fosters local talent while contributing to a dynamic ecosystem that challenges boundaries, amplifies diverse voices, and takes ownership of narratives surrounding contemporary African art.

Committed to building a culture of appreciation, ownership and empowerment for African artists, galleries, and collectors, FNB Art Joburg looks forward to another year of platforming the best in contemporary African art. In the face of a rapidly evolving market, this fair has become a vital platform attracting international attention while fostering dialogue between African artists, collectors, and the global art community, bridging the continent’s dynamic and evolving creative landscape.

As seminal curator Simon Njami put it in conversation with Percy Zvomuya for Mail & Guardian, “It is of the utmost importance for Africans to have such a tool. Any art without a market is an art subject to many external fluctuations. It is important for African collectors to understand their role and to play it fully.” FNB Art Joburg serves as this tool, giving the continent a sustainable platform where African art can thrive on its own terms.

While sustaining and growing the market is central to FNB Art Joburg, our mandate extends beyond to include social and educational Commitment to nurturing a sustainable and inclusive art ecosystem through a year-long approach FNB Art Joburg will continue to engage the public through the fair and our related initiatives including The BMW Young Collectors Co., Open City, and The BMW Art Generation.

The fair is part of a larger vision to create a culture of appreciation, ownership, and empowerment for African practitioners around the world. In doing so, it continues to position Johannesburg as a global force in contemporary art, ensuring that the city remains not only a hub for artistic excellence but also a space where the future of African creativity is being written every day.

For our 18th edition, FNB Art Joburg — Africa’s leading and longest running art fair — looks forward to welcoming you to Sandton Convention Centre from 5 – 7 September 2025.