At its core, SouthSeen is not simply an exhibition but a movement. It is a living, transcontinental dialogue that asks how the Global South is seen and how it chooses to see itself.
In August, that dialogue found a stage in Brussels. The historic halls of Belfius Bank became the first European host of SouthSeen, where South African contemporary art met a new audience. This builds on Belfius’s long-standing commitment to supporting artists and engaging with the arts sector, a role the bank has carried forward for many years. The works on display, including paintings, sculptures and photographs, were chosen for more than their technical excellence. Each piece carried a story: of resilience, of memory, of imagination rooted in the South yet resonant far beyond its borders.
The opening night drew collectors, cultural leaders, and diplomats into a shared space where art became a language of connection. These voices reminded the audience that art, while deeply personal, also moves on the currents of diplomacy, economics, and cultural exchange.
“Through the valued support of DSAC and SEDFA, SouthSeen has become a living conversation about what it means to be South African, and how our artistic voices — both established and emerging — mirror and define our evolving cultural heritage.” – Sibusisiwe Nodada, Limani Art Gallery
In Brussels, Deidre Howarth’s impressionist oils brought a romantic energy to the room, her sweeping palette-knife strokes capturing light and movement in ways that shifted from intimate landscapes to evocative abstractions.
Sal Price added a contrasting voice, with works that felt alive in their spontaneity, inviting viewers into a playful, borderless conversation between chance and intention.
Anchoring these perspectives, Pitika Ntuli presented work of rigorous economy and daring material exploration, reminding audiences of the power of restraint and innovation to carry profound cultural and emotional weight.
As one reflection from Mr. Gareth Rees at the Brussels exhibition put it:
“It’s important that cultural heritage thrives not in isolation but through connection. This is where the power of people-to-people exchanges shines: art transcends languages and borders, creating bridges of understanding and empathy between peoples.” – Counsellor Political G E Rees, South African Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium.
But SouthSeen does not linger in one place. Even as the exhibition continues in Belgium, its Keyes Art Mile debut captivated audiences when it opened on 3 September and remains on display at The Atrium. This South African chapter is far more than a reprise of Brussels; it is a crucial milestone in an ongoing transcontinental conversation, where the works themselves carry the dialogue forward, linking audiences, stages, and ideas that will unfold long into the future.
The Keyes Art Mile edition showcases the curatorial vision of SouthSeen, presenting a diverse range of contemporary South African works that speak for themselves. It celebrates the energy, inventiveness, and storytelling of the artists, highlighting how their creativity continues to evolve and inspire. Each piece invites audiences to engage, reflect, and connect with the country’s vibrant artistic landscape.
Running the two exhibitions concurrently is no accident. It is a deliberate act of bridge-building: Brussels opens doors into European markets and diplomatic circles, while Johannesburg anchors the project at home, reminding audiences that the strength of SouthSeen lies in its rootedness as much as its reach. Together, the exhibitions create a rhythm of exchange, local feeding into global, global amplifying the local.
“For young artists back home, SouthSeen has ignited hope. It has reminded us of the power of collaboration — among curators, artists, and cultural promoters — to create platforms that reach beyond our borders and into spaces where recognition and authenticity matter. The overwhelming response from artists wishing to be part of this journey underscores the urgency and necessity of continuing this work.” – Sibusisiwe Nodada, Limani Art Gallery
Presented by The Birthmark Foundation and Limani Art Gallery, in partnership with DSAC, SEDFA, and IQOQO, SouthSeen is not meant to be a fleeting showcase. It is conceived as an evolving platform, with artworks rotating in and new audiences joining along the way. After Johannesburg, the exhibition will return to Belgium, extending the dialogue and ensuring that South African artists continue to move across borders with dignity and intent.
What SouthSeen ultimately offers is not only access to exceptional works of art but an invitation to witness the Global South shaping how it is perceived on the world stage. It is an exhibition, yes, but also a statement: that culture is not confined by geography, that creativity carries its own diplomacy, and that art, at its best, builds bridges no politics can erode.
