The Stellenbosch Triennale 2025 Breathes New Life Into Artistic Discourse

The Stellenbosch Triennale 2025 is set to transform the historic South African town into a living, breathing canvas from February 19 to April 30. Under the discerning curatorship of Khanyisile Mbongwa and Dr. Mike Mavura, the Triennale will unfold as an immersive artistic exploration centered on the theme BA’ZINZILE: A Rehearsal for Breathing.

Credit: Stellenbosch Triennale

This conceptual framework positions breathing not only as a biological imperative but as a metaphor for resilience, survival, and creative resistance—an urgent dialogue within contemporary global and African artistic discourse.

Three Exhibitions, One Cohesive Narrative

At the heart of the Triennale lie three interwoven exhibitions: From the Vault, In the Current, and On the Cusp, each interrogating history, contemporary realities, and future creative possibilities through a nuanced African and diasporic lens.

From the Vault seeks to reframe history by unearthing overlooked museum collections and rediscovering the power of material culture. Featuring prominent artists such as Kemang wa Lehulere, Lungiswa Joe, and ceramicists Andile Dyalvane and Sisonke Papu, this segment will harness the medium of ceramics (udaka) to forge a dialogue between heritage and contemporary transformation.

In the Current is a deep-dive into present-day urgencies, featuring a constellation of global artists including Alexandre Kyungu Mwilambwe (DRC), Aline Motta (Brazil), Aziz Hazara (Afghanistan), Lebohang Kganye (South Africa), and Torkwase Dyson (USA). This exhibition grapples with the intersections of identity, resilience, and sociopolitical flux, reflecting the pulse of a world in transition.

On the Cusp turns the spotlight toward emerging African and diaspora artists, emphasizing experimental and avant-garde practices. Artists such as Astrid González (Colombia/Chile), Helen Zeru (Ethiopia), Manyaku Mashilo (South Africa), and Takunda Regis Billiat (Zimbabwe) will present works that challenge artistic conventions, expanding the boundaries of contemporary African art.

Beyond Exhibition: An Invitation to Engage

The Triennale positions Stellenbosch as a global nexus of artistic innovation, inviting audiences into a multi-sensory journey encompassing sculpture, performance, sound, and photography. Assistant Curator Dr. Mavura underscores the thematic depth, posing critical questions: “What happens when you breathe deeply? When breath is constricted? When you can’t breathe?” These questions, manifesting across artistic mediums, challenge viewers to reconsider their relationship with the self, the environment, and historical memory.

Taking place across multiple venues, including the Oude Libertas precinct, and in collaboration with the Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture Trust (SOST), the Triennale seeks to dissolve the barriers between art and everyday life. More than a showcase, it is a call to action—an invitation to breathe, reflect, and co-create within an ever-evolving cultural landscape.

The Stellenbosch Triennale 2025 runs from February 19 to April 30, with free public access. It offers a rare opportunity to witness art as a living force, shaping and being shaped by the times we inhabit.