• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

The 2026 edition of the RMB Latitudes Art Fair is bringing together artists and exhibitors from across the African continent to transform the enchanting Shepstone Gardens from Friday, 22 May to Sunday, 24 May 2026. Here's what you need to know. Presented by Latitudes Online in partnership with Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), the RMB Latitudes Art Fair has become a standout event on Johannesburg's cultural calendar, celebrated for its unique, immersive approach to experiencing contemporary African art. By moving beyond the confines of a traditional fair venue, RMB Latitudes invites visitors to explore art in a dynamic and multi-sensory confirmed of Shepstone Gardens. Attendees can wander through distinctive indoor and outdoor spaces, pausing for a leisurely lunch in lush gardens, engaging in thought-provoking conversations, and contemplating sculpture beneath Johannesburg's crisp autumn skies. Each year, RMB Latitudes Art Fair spotlights a different African country through their International Focus programme, an initiative designed to foster cross-border artistic exchange, spotlight emerging and established talent, and strengthen collector networks across the continent. The 2026 focus is Nigeria. In celebration of this, together with Yenwa Gallery, RMB Latitudes are producing a curated exhibition in Lagos, which will bring together some of Nigeria's most exciting contemporary art and cultural practice, before travelling to South Africa to take pride of place at RMB Latitudes Art Fair. The 2026 theme, Oasis, reflects on the improbability of creative flourishing in unlikely places. Marking 140 years of Johannesburg - a city founded without access to a major body of water - the theme considers how creativity, like water, sustains and regenerates life in unexpected environments. "The Fair embraces Johannesburg's spirit of resilience and renewal, affirming the arts' capacity to nourish, connect and reimagine the cultural landscape," says Denzo Nyathi, Curator and Head of Sales. "It also draws inspiration from the gardens that host the Fair each year - a carefully tended pocket of green within an urban context." This year, RMB Latitudes Art Fair is excited to be working with 50 galleries and with over 300 artists showcasing their talent over the course of the weekend. From major local galleries such as Southern Guild, Stevenson and Everard Read to nomadic gallery FEDE Arthouse, Strauss & Co auction house and new Nigerian space AMG Projects, every aspect of the art ecosystem is represented. Each year, the RMB Latitudes Art Fair offers an array of engaging conversations and keynote talks designed to enrich the attendee experience. RSVP is required for all talks. If you're looking to get an overview of this year's RMB Latitudes Art Fair, the daily guided tours are a perfect starting point. The interactive walkabouts offer attendees the chance to engage with artists, curators, and cultural experts while gaining deeper insights into the themes and narratives behind the works on display. RSVP is required for the festival walkabout and selected artist walkabout. Throughout the year, the art fair runs RMB Latitudes CuratorLab, which is a practice-based, online curatorial residency for emerging curators in Africa. Ten selected aspiring curators are guided through a facilitated online programme that offers practical experience in the industry and refine their curatorial skills. No formal training is needed, and practical curatorial experience is preferred. Email the team to find out more about the 2026 call or entries. Cost: Early bird tickets for R320 will be on sale from 11 March 2026 When: Friday to Sunday, 22 to 24 May 2026. Friday from 12pm to 7pm | Saturday from 10am to 7pm | Sunday from 10am to 5pm Where: Shepstone Gardens, 12 Hope Rd, Mountain View, Johannesburg Source: https://whatsoninjoburg.com/rmb-latitudes-art-fair-in-joburg/