As the City champions sustainability and environmental awareness, the 2025 RMB Latitudes Art Fair offers a compelling artistic dialogue on the global climate crisis.
Staged at the verdant Shepstone Gardens from Friday, 23 to Sunday, 25 May, this year’s fair introduces “Disturbed Currents: Art for a Warming World,” a striking outdoor exhibition presented in partnership with The Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa.
This immersive installation transcends mere visual spectacle, serving as a vital platform for reflection. It urges Joburgers to confront climate change’s daily impact and explore how art can reshape perspectives on consumption, water scarcity, waste management, and environmental justice.
Curated to harmonise with Shepstone Gardens’ natural contours, “Disturbed Currents” is the fair’s largest outdoor installation, promoting a unique symbiosis between nature and creative expression.
Featured artists Thirza Schaap (Netherlands) and Nina Barnett (South Africa) challenge conventional environmental perceptions. Schaap’s internationally acclaimed ‘Plastic Ocean’ series, for instance, presents deceptively vibrant works crafted from beach-collected plastic waste, compelling viewers to reckon with global excess.
The City’s steadfast commitment to environmental responsibility finds a powerful amplifier in RMB Latitudes. “RMB’s commitment to unlocking African creative talent is highlighted as key to enabling broader visibility and lasting connections. The fair’s role is to foster both artistic and ecological awareness,” says Linda Kachingwe-Sisya, RMB’s Executive Head of Marketing and Communications for Africa and International.
By drawing attention to plastic pollution, water security, and ecological fragility, “Disturbed Currents” aligns seamlessly with Joburg’s mission to forge a resilient, low-carbon future where sustainability is not just policy, but public practice.
Visitors engaging with these transformative installations will find themselves stirred, inspired, and encouraged towards new paradigms of climate stewardship. Experience this pivotal exhibition and the full art programme at https://www.latitudesartfair.com/tickets.
Written by Lesego Montso