Columnist Craig Jacobs writes about the evening when he attended the launch of the 2019 Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize. The launch took place in Illovo, Sandton. The writer also reflects on how Blessing Ngobeni has been likened to Picasso and Basquiat.

The Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize is a self-funded initiative founded by the artist Blessing Ngobeni in 2016. The Prize aims to assist young artists to begin their careers. Blessing awarded a young, emerging artist with a twelve-week studio residency. The winner also gets awarded a solo exhibition at the Everard Read Johannesburg gallery. The artist will be provided with studio space at Victoria Yards, as well as a small materials budget and a monthly stipend.

The article was written for the Sunday Times and may be accessed at: https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/2019-05-05-socials-sas-own-basquiat-blessing-ngobeni-bequeaths-award-to-new-talent/