Norval Foundation, situated in the Tokai region of Cape Town, is a haven for both South African and African artwork. The gallery, founded in 2018, aims to nurture understanding and appreciation of African art. It strives to position African artists within the global art historical canon, fostering awareness and elevating the discourse around their contributions. Here’s everything you need to know.
This Weekend: Free Entrance for Youth
In celebration of Freedom Day this long weekend, Norval Foundation is offering free admission for children, students and young adults below the age of 24 on Saturday and Sunday.
Young people are invited to experience the world-class museum and sculpture garden, soak up some inspiration, and enjoy a weekend surrounded by creativity and culture – completely free of charge.
To qualify, simply present a valid ID or student card at the entrance.
When: 26 and 27 April 2025 | Sat: 10am – 5pm | Sun: 10am – 4pm
Current Exhibitions at Norval Foundation
Norval Foundation has 9 gallery spaces available for exhibitions, as well as the atrium space, which hosts large-scale display pieces. Here are the current exhibitions on display at Norval Foundation.
Billie Zangewa: Breeding Ground
Renowned Malawian-South African artist Billie Zangewa’s latest exhibition, Breeding Ground, is her first institutional show in South Africa. This art showcase curated by Anelisa Mangcu delves into the artist’s iconic silk collages that explore both literal and symbolic forms of nurturing and offer a reflection on the cycles of life – from birth and infancy to development, maturity, and decay.
When: 18 February – 11 September 2025
Where: Gallery 1
Find out more about Breeding Ground
We, the People: 30 Years of Democracy in South Africa
This exhibition, curated by Liese van der Watt, offers a nuanced perspective on the country’s democratic journey, framing it not as a static given but an ongoing process. The exhibition utilises “countervisuality,” a concept developed by visual theorist Nicholas Mirzoeff, to disrupt dominant narratives and create space for marginalised perspectives.
Structured around four interconnected themes, the exhibition chooses artworks that delve into the complexities of South African society. “To Belong” confronts the enduring impact of colonial and apartheid land dispossession on notions of belonging. “To Protest” examines the role of social movements in pushing for greater equality while acknowledging the complexities of protest violence. “To Care” explores environmental issues through the lens of Anne Tsing’s “collaborative survival,” highlighting the intersection of environmental and social justice. Finally, “To Be Heard” challenges the simplistic “Rainbow Nation” narrative, advocating for “world-making” as a more accurate framework for understanding the diversity of South Africa’s society and how to negotiate this.
When: 6 December 2024 – 22 November 2025
Where: Gallery 2-8
Kaloki Nyamai: Ithokoo masuiluni
This exhibition takes inspiration from quotidian life in Nairobi, the capital city where the Kaloki Nyamai was raised and is now based. Rooted in Kenya’s rich heritage—particularly that of the Kamba people—Nyamai draws inspiration from his mother, grandmother, and the dynamic rhythms of contemporary life in Nairobi. His works reflect a deep engagement with history, weaving together pre-colonial imagery and references to modern photographs and media, signaling the ongoing conversation and coexistence between past and present.
In his latest series, Ithokoo masuiluni, Nyamai delves into the potential for new realities. He uncovers and proposes narratives of an awaited morning that promises new beginnings. The three free-hanging pieces involve acrylic paint, sisal rope, photo transfers, and yarn stitched onto the canvas, alluding to the healing of past wounds and fractures in Kenyan history and a collective yearning for renewal.
When: 20 November 2024 – 23 November 2025
Where: Atrium
Norval Sovereign African Art Prize 2025
The 4th annual Norval Sovereign African Art Prize Finalists’ exhibition is open for public viewing at Norval Foundation. The prestigious art prize in South Africa, sponsored by Schroders, unveils works from contemporary artists in Africa and its diaspora.
Works on show span a range of mediums such as painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, all reflecting the unique cultural narratives, social commentary, and innovative practices that define the continent’s art scene today.
When: 4 February to 20 April 2025
Where: Gallery 9
Learn more about the Norval Sovereign African Art Prize
Explore Norval Foundation’s Sculpture Garden
The Sculpture Garden at the Norval Foundation features three-dimensional installations by artists from South Africa and the rest of Africa. The unique site, split by a protected Cape lowland freshwater wetland and surrounded by the natural beauty of the Western Cape, features flora indigenous to the area. The placement of artwork takes the site into consideration, using the contours of the garden to hide and reveal work, creating an experience of discovery for the viewer.
The building has been designed so that the western side gives way onto the Sculpture Garden at multiple points, allowing visitors access from the galleries to the Sculpture Garden and creating connections between exhibitions taking place both inside and outside. The exhibition programme in the Sculpture Garden aims to represent a plurality of practices currently taking place in the region, including artists working with the figure, narrative and mythology, abstraction and post-minimalism, and craft.
Grub & Vine at the Norval Foundation
After touring the exhibitions, book a table at Grub and Vine, located on-site at Norval Foundation. The menu is small and seasonal, with an emphasis on honest cooking and fresh produce while our wine list features South Africa’s most talented producers, as well as a hand-picked selection of fine wines from around the world.
The restaurant also offers delicious picnic options, that can be savoured in the picturesque sculpture gardens of Norval Foundation. Picnics are R300 per person and include access to the Sculpture Gardens, or R395 per person for a picnic with garden and Museum access. The various items in the basket include quiche, salad, sandwiches and more. More information on booking and purchasing is available on the website.
For the month of March, Grub & Vine are running a picnic special: book a picnic for two and receive a free bottle of house wine.
Visit the Learning Centre at Norval Foundation
Norval Foundation’s Learning Centre is an investment into the South African youth, aiming to educate young people through art. The Centre allows for the development of creative thinking, interpretation and problem-solving skills, which, in turn, allow learners to make better life decisions. The Centre is open to all, and more information can be found on the website.
The Foundation also hosts guided school tours through the Norval museum, as well as free tours for learners visiting from non-fee paying schools in quintiles 1 – 3. Booking for these tours can be done through email.
Norval Student Art Prize 2025
Inspired by the exhibition “We, the People: 30 Years of Democracy in South Africa“, the Norval Student Art Prize has set the 2025 theme as “To Belong”. This theme serves to challenge these young artists to define belonging for themselves and reflect on their own understanding of it.
There are four age categories for the Art Prize, these being Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase, Senior Phase and FET Phase, and each entry will be judged separately according to their grade category. Entry for artworks to be submitted opens on 17 March 2025 and closes on 12 May 2025. Winning artworks will be showcased in an exhibition at Norval Foundation, which opens on 16 June 2025.
Prizes will be awarded to all first, second and third place winners, and each grade category has its own set of winners. Find out more information on the website.
Hire the Norval Foundation
The Norval Foundation offers a variety of event spaces, each with its own unique appeal. The Sculpture Garden provides an outdoor setting perfect for garden parties or receptions, surrounded by large-scale sculptures and beautiful landscapes. The Atrium is a bright, open indoor space suitable for larger gatherings, product launches, or exhibitions. The nine state-of-the-art galleries offer flexible spaces for art exhibitions, private events, or corporate functions. Lastly, the library provides a more intimate setting for smaller, quieter events like book launches or private meetings. These diverse venues cater to a wide range of events and can be tailored to suit different needs.
Enquire about booking Norval Foundation for a function via email.
How to Visit Norval Foundation
Norval Foundation offers an annual, affordable membership for single, double and group tickets with special perks such as invitations to exhibition openings and special discounts on guided tours. All pensioners pay half price every Thursday, and African Nationals may need to present their passports to access the special entry fee. See more info here.
Cost: Day Pass – R200pp for African Nationals | R300pp for Internationals | R100pp for young adults aged 18 to 24 years | Kids under 18 enter free. Book via Webtickets
When: Wed to Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 4pm | Closed on Mon & Tues
Where: Norval Foundation, 4 Steenberg Road, Tokai
Website: norvalfoundation.org
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 087 654 5900
Instagram: @norvalfoundation
Facebook: @NorvalFoundation
