The Standard Bank Art Lab is marking a major milestone, 40 years of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award (SBYA) for Visual Art, with a new exhibition that celebrates the country’s artistic evolution from 1984 to date.

SBYA Visual Art 1984–Now, curated by Dr Same Mdluli, opened on October 14 at the bank’s new art space in Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton.

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The exhibition runs until January 31, 2026, showcasing 40 artworks by 40 past SBYA winners.

The pieces come from leading South African collections, including the Standard Bank Corporate Collection, the SABC Art Collection, Rupert Museum, Wits Art Museum, the Johannesburg Art Gallery, and Iziko Museums.

Mdluli describes the show as both a celebration and a reflection, a look at South Africa’s creative spirit through eras of struggle, hope, and transformation.

Featured names include William Kentridge, Dianne Victor, Mary Sibande, Mohau Modisakeng, Helen Sebidi, and Blessing Ngobeni.

“This exhibition marks a significant milestone for the bank as we forge ahead with our commitment to championing the arts,” said Mdluli.

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“SBYA Visual Art 1984- Now is a uniquely rich and immersive celebration of the 40th anniversary of the award’s history, featuring 40 artists represented in the show through a single work, each selected from 40 pieces drawn from the art collections of six important institutions in South African art.

In this way, the exhibition reflects both the artistic and institutional dynamics that shape our art historical reality.”

The exhibition also features talks, school programmes, and family-friendly activations over the summer, turning art appreciation into a shared experience of memory, creativity, and growth.

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