Uncovering the Value of Materials: Tshepo Bopape's latest exhibition

THE WILLIAM Humphreys Art Gallery (WHAG) in Kimberley is set to host a thought-provoking solo exhibition by Tshepo Bopape, the 2026 WHAG Artist-in-Residence.

"Valued Materials – A Work In Progress" promises to be a captivating exploration of the complex legacy of precious minerals in South Africa, opening on March 5.

Bopape, a multidisciplinary artist born in Soweto in 1993 and raised in Lenasia South, has been working tirelessly in his studio in Kimberley, delving into the city's rich history of diamond mining.

His research and artistic production have culminated in a stunning collection of abstract paintings that interrogate the systems of extraction, labour, capital, and value that have shaped the country's economic and political landscape.

“Valued Materials is an exhibition that explores our belief in precious natural stones and the social, political, economic, and interpersonal consequences of that belief. It looks particularly at diamonds and gold as precious materials and how the desire for them has shaped and helped build not only the cities of Kimberley and Johannesburg, but the entire country of South Africa.

"This exhibition invites a moment to reflect and re-evaluate the value we have placed on these materials, their consequences on our history, and how they continue to shape our present-day experiences,” says Bogape.

Through his afro-cubic visual language, Bopape resists literal representation, inviting audiences to reconsider how value is constructed, who benefits from it, and what histories remain embedded in the land.

His paintings reflect on the enduring legacy of mining in shaping spatial divisions, wealth distribution, and national identity, positioning Kimberley as an active archive and a landscape where material wealth and human cost remain deeply intertwined.

The exhibition is part of WHAG's ongoing commitment to supporting contemporary artistic research and critical engagement with South African histories.

“As an entity of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, we are intentional about developing our national visual arts landscape and nurturing emerging artists to advance their careers and position their work within global conversations. Since the revival of WHAG’s Artist-in-Residence programme in 2023, in honour of our late patron and permanent Artist-in-Residence, Dumisani Mabaso, we have witnessed an exceptional cohort of artists who have enriched and strengthened this platform. This year’s recipient was selected from a group of top finalists, following a rigorous and highly competitive adjudication process,” says WHAG's Chief Curator.

The opening reception will take place on Thursday, March 5, at 5.50pm, with Dr Refiloe Lepere as the opening speaker.

The exhibition runs until April 30, offering a unique opportunity to engage with Bopape's work and reflect on the value we place on precious materials.

To secure your spot for the opening reception, RSVP to zaakirah@whag.co.za.