Maseru — Thato Toeba has been announced as the winner of the 2025 FNB Art Prize, an accolade that recognizes exceptional contemporary artists across the African continent. Born in 1990 in Maseru, Toeba is an artist, lawyer, and social sciences researcher whose work with mixed-media photomontage and assemblage has gained increasing critical acclaim.
The jury praised Toeba for their distinctive approach, describing their artistic practice as a “quiet force” that stood out among a strong field of nominees. “Thato Toeba’s practice holds a quiet force. Their use of collage and assemblage is both deliberate and layered, allowing for a visual language that is conceptually clear and materially rich,” the jury said. “There is a distinct sense of control in how they handle composition, texture and text, revealing a commitment to process as much as to meaning. What set Toeba apart was the clarity of vision, the formal maturity of the work and the considered pace of their trajectory. In a field of strong nominees, theirs emerged as the most resolved and coherent.”
Toeba’s artwork brings together photographs, textures, and physical materials to tell complex, layered stories about identity, power, and history. Rather than presenting a single viewpoint, their work invites multiple interpretations. The images ask viewers to slow down, look closely, and reflect more deeply.
Known for balancing their creative pursuits with a professional background in law and social sciences, Toeba embodies a multidisciplinary approach that resonates across fields. Their work is not only visually compelling but intellectually engaging, offering a nuanced examination of contemporary life through fragmented yet connected imagery.
The FNB Art Prize win marks a major milestone in Toeba’s artistic journey, further solidifying their role as one of the most thoughtful and promising visual artists emerging from Southern Africa today.
