Portrait Awards
Portrait Award 2025
Portrait Award Exhibition | Open from 30 August to 28 October 2025
THE WINNING PORTRAIT:
- The winner will receive a cash prize of R150 000.
- The Rust-en-Vrede Gallery will on application assist the winner in entering the next UK Portrait Award competition held by the National Portrait Gallery in London.
- The winning artwork will feature on the cover of the 2027 portrait award catalogue.
- The winner will be invited to present a solo exhibition at Rust-en-Vrede Gallery in 2027.
SECOND AND THIRD PRIZE:
- The second prize winner will receive a cash prize of R30 000.
- The third prize winner will receive a cash prize of R20 000.
Portrait Award Judges 2025
THONTON KABEYA
DR DINEKE ORTON
SEAN O’TOOLE
What Makes A Winning Portrait?
OTHER PRIZES:
- Ryno Swart Drawing Medal, which will be awarded to the best portrait done in a drawing medium as selected by the judges.
- Art Hamper sponsored by The Deckle Edge.
- Art Hampers sponsored by The Italian Art Shop.
- Wine Hamper sponsored by Durbanville Wine Valley.
PORTRAIT 100:
- The 60 remaining artworks will be displayed as PORTRAIT 100 at the Spier Arts Trust Union House in Cape Town.
SPONSORS
2025 Portrait Award Winning Works
First Prize
MALIK MANI
Mask
Pencil on Paper
Second Prize
ASHLEY OGILVY
Wherever We Are, We Are Here
Oil on Aluminium
Third Prize
JOSEPH DOLBY
Robyn
Acrylic on Canvas
Fourth Prize
THEMBA MKHANGELI
Ukucamngca (Meditation)
Ballpoint Pen on Paper
Fifth Prize
MONIQUE DAY-WILDE
Wish You Were Here
Hand Stitching with Cotton Thread on Cotton Fabric
Ryno Swart Drawing Medal
RUAN HUISAMEN
Adolescent in Blue
Charcoal and Pastel on Paper
2023 Portrait Award Winning Works
First Prize
André Serfontein
The Prince and Princess of Prince Street (Johan & Bongi)
Oil on Canvas
Second Prize
Willem Pretorius
Kewpie
Oil on Canvas
Third Prize
Leanne Olivier
Ann
Oil on Canvas
Fourth Prize
Marié Stander
Afwagtend
Charcoal on Cotton Paper
Fifth Prize
Juria le Roux
Onherroeplik
Oil on Canvas
Ryno Swart Drawing Medal
Themba Mkhangeli
Nozazi
Ballpoint Pen on Paper