As part of our ongoing Creative Circuit series, we spotlight the art world’s most compelling exhibitions currently on show. This month, our circuit moves through intimate reflections on Black womanhood, dynamic explorations of democracy, motherhood, motion, and pan-African creativity, with RMB Latitudes returning as a must-attend highlight on the calendar. Here’s what to see:
Strand by Strand By Kamogelo Machaba and Hazel Mphande:
Present – 22 June 2025
Taking place at Berman Contemporary Art Gallery, Strand by Strand unpacks the layered politics of Black women’s hair. The exhibition delves into the personal and collective histories tied to Black hair, asking what it means to define, own, and reclaim it.
Both Kamogelo Machaba and Hazel Mphande approach this topic with intimate care, contextualizing it within a broader legacy shaped by colonization, forced conformity, and societal policing of Black identity. The work echoes generations of resistance while offering new perspectives on beauty, power, and autonomy.
We, the People: 30 Years of Democracy in South Africa– Curated by Liese van der Watt | Norval Foundation
Present – 22 November 2025
Marking a significant milestone, We, the People celebrates three decades of democracy in South Africa through a compelling visual survey.
Curated by Liese van der Watt, the exhibition interrogates the layers of freedom and citizenship post-1994—what’s been achieved, what’s still in progress, and the role of art in that transformation.
With works that challenge, reflect, and provoke, this show asks visitors to consider democracy not as a fixed outcome but an active, ongoing project.
Billie Zangewa: Breeding Ground–Curated by Anelisa Mangcu | Norval Foundation
Present – 11 September 2025
Internationally acclaimed artist Billie Zangewa brings her signature silk collages home for her first institutional exhibition in South Africa.
Breeding Ground, curated by Anelisa Mangcu, presents a tender, introspective body of work that meditates on motherhood, healing, community, and selfhood. With rich textures and personal narratives, Zangewa’s works trace emotional and psychological landscapes that speak to growth, protection, and transformation.
This positions the domestic and everyday as powerful sites of art and resistance.
Kaloki Nyamai: Ithokoo masuiluni | Norval Foundation
Present – 23 November 2025
Kenyan artist Kaloki Nyamai offers a vibrant and immersive look into Nairobi life in Ithokoo masuiluni. His textured paintings, infused with fabric and layered symbolism, bring everyday moments into sharp focus.
Drawing from personal memories, urban culture, and ancestral knowledge, Nyamai constructs a powerful visual language rooted in place and identity.
This exhibition is a testament to the artist’s ability to connect the past with the present, bridging contemporary African life with historical depth.
Motion and Expression: The Space In Between | Origin Art Gallery, Rosebank
Present – 9 June 2025
Motion and Expression explores the culture of skateboarding as an artistic medium in motion. Far more than a sport, skateboarding is framed here as a form of physical poetry—an expression of individuality, freedom, and creative improvisation.
The exhibition highlights the intersections of style, rebellion, and subculture, making it an essential stop for lovers of street culture, photography, and alternative expression.
RMB Latitudes 2025– Shepstone Gardens, Johannesburg
24 – 26 May 2025
RMB Latitudes returns to Shepstone Gardens for its 2025 edition, bringing together over 40 galleries, 250 artists, and a dynamic range of voices from across the continent. More than just an art fair, RMB Latitudes functions as a collaborative and immersive art experience—inviting collectors, first-time buyers, and art lovers into a space where creativity and conversation collide.
With curated exhibitions, installations, talks, and a festival-like atmosphere, it’s a vibrant celebration of contemporary African art in all its forms. Don’t miss it.
Whether you’re seeking critical reflection, cultural reconnection, or moments of aesthetic joy, this edition of The Creative Circuit offers a full spectrum of art to move through and be moved by.
About The Creative Circuit by 10and5:
The Creative Circuit, your ultimate weekly guide to all things creative happening across Mzansi. We dive into the vibrant world of art, design, music, fashion, and innovative brand experiences that are shaping the cultural landscape of our cities. Each Month, we’ll spotlight the most exciting and must-see events, exhibitions, performances, and launches that are making waves in the creative community. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a music lover, a fashionista, or someone who thrives on discovering new and innovative brand experiences, The Creative Circuit has got you covered.
