Art of the ordinary
Botswana-born sculptor Kelebogile Marope has been named the winner of the 2026 FNB Art Prize for her work exploring memory, domesticity, and the overlooked details of daily life. Her art, titled 'Archaeologies of Use,' focuses on the ephemeral nature of ordinary objects and human experiences.
Why it matters
The award highlights the growing recognition of African artists who challenge traditional historical narratives by focusing on the 'ordinary' aspects of human existence.
What deserves to be remembered? That’s a question that’s currently a focus in humanities courses throughout the Western world.
Statues of kings and statesmen line the streets of big cities. Wars get museums. Historical events acquire plaques, archives and solemn men giving speeches at anniversaries. Meanwhile, most of human life — eating breakfast, making dinner, buttering a slice of bread, opening the same cupboard door 10,000 times, wearing a path across a floor — disappears almost as soon as it happens.
'Somatic Trace' (2026) by Kelebogile Marope. (Supplied) Artist Kelebogile Marope is interested in the parts of our lives that almost instantly disappear.
The Botswana-born sculptor, who works across sculpture, drawing and mixed media, has been named winner of the 2026 FNB Art Prize, which makes her the first artist from Botswana to receive the award.
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