Artist Smiso Cele Receives the 2025 Cassirer Welz Prize
Johannesburg – Artist Smiso Cele has been honored with this year’s Cassirer Welz Award.
“We are excited to share that the 2025 Cassirer Welz Award winner is Smiso Cele. He will enjoy a three-month residency at Bag Factory Artists’ Studios, culminating in a solo exhibition,” announced Strauss & Co on Thursday, 21 August 2025.
For 15 years, the Cassirer Welz Award, underwritten by Strauss & Co, has served as a crucial support system for emerging artists, providing them with a transformative residency experience at Bag Factory Artists’ Studios.
Initiated in 2011 by Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer, the award was inspired by her late husband, Reinhold Cassirer’s, deep love for the arts.
This accolade has grown into one of South Africa’s most prestigious platforms for recognizing emerging artistic talent, both locally and throughout the Sub-Saharan Region.
Following the passing of Stephan Welz, founder and Managing Director of Strauss & Co, the award was renamed the Cassirer Welz Award in honor of their enduring impact on the country’s cultural landscape.
After 15 years of nurturing creative excellence, both Bag Factory Artists’ Studios and Strauss & Co Education remain dedicated to empowering the next generation of contemporary African artists.
From a wide array of applications for this year’s award, five artists were shortlisted for final review.
The finalists are: Smiso Cele (South Africa), Fiona Davhana (South Africa), Ditiro Mashigo (South Africa), Swaline Mkhonto (South Africa), and Chidimma Nwafor (Nigeria).
To celebrate the award’s lasting legacy, Bag Factory Artists’ Studios will host an exhibition showcasing the artistic journeys of past winners with a group show titled “Trajectories,” opening on 30 August 2025.
The 2025 Award is made possible thanks to the ongoing support of Strauss & Co, further bolstered by funding from the French Institute of South Africa.
“Supporting the 15th edition of the Cassirer Welz Award aligns seamlessly with our mission at the French Institute of South Africa to promote cultural exchange and nurture creative talent,” said Dorine Lebreton, cultural attaché and deputy director.
“The award underscores our commitment to providing emerging African artists with a platform for mentorship, personal development, and meaningful engagement within the broader industry.”