Then vs Now: Meet the Nike Air Residency 2026 Art Finalists

The Air Max Residency at Floodhouse SA has become a sanctuary for experimentation, dialogue, and “seeing magic materialise.” Under the mentorship of Bahati Simoens, art category finalists Assante Chiweshe, Themba Mwanza, Mbali Mdikane, and Jordan Bareiss have spent the last two weeks expanding their practices, proving that while their mediums may change, their impact on the culture only deepens.

This feature is a vantage point into the evolution of these four South African visionaries. It serves as a bridge between their early career milestones and the groundbreaking work they will unveil this Saturday, 28 March.

Through a Then vs Now lens, we look at the evolution of Air Max Residency art finalists.

This is the residency progress: a narrative of manifestation that started with a simple vision.

1. Themba Mwanza: Multidisciplinary Visual Artist

Then: “Overgrown” (2025)

In early 2025, Themba Mwanza debuted “Overgrown” at BKhz Gallery as part of the “Either Way, with you” exhibition. This oil on canvas portrait of his friend Gomolemo acted as a spiritual compass and a conscious act of reclaiming identity. For Themba, the work documented a shift toward a grounded “I Am” by not grieving the past, but by carrying forward the essential parts of himself that sustain the spirit.

Now: Air Max Residency at Floodhouse

Today, Themba Mwanza is one of four visionary finalists in the Air Max Residency at Floodhouse SA. Building on the introspective energy of works like “Overgrown,” Themba has spent the last two weeks under the mentorship of Bahati Simoens. This period has been beautiful, allowing him to meet talented people and see magic materialise through experimentation and dialogue.

By moving beyond the traditional canvas, he is pushing his figurative practice into new territories. This Saturday, 28 March 2026, he unveils the results of this evolution, continuing his exploration of human connection, movement, and the sustenance of the spirit.

2. Mbali Mdikane: Visual Artist

Then: “Where The Sun Meets Us” (2023)

In 2023, Mbali Mdikane featured in the group exhibition “Where The Sun Meets Us” at Sumthing Sumthing. Her work centered on the profound idea of crying as meditation and medication. Using vibrant oil and acrylics, she created hybrid, fantastical figures that moved beyond standard anatomy to explore themes of healing and cathartic release for the Black community.

Now: Air Max Residency at Floodhouse

Today, Mbali is one of the visionary finalists in the Air Max Residency at Floodhouse SA. Under the mentorship of Bahati Simoens, she has spent the last two weeks deep in experimentation and dialogue.

This period has been a beautiful evolution, allowing her to see magic materialise as she pushes her abstract figurative style into new territories.

3. Jordan Bareiss: Multimedia Artist & Creative Technologist

Then: “Not a School Day” (2024)

In 2024, Jordan Bareiss operating under his studio brdnstudio led the highly influential “Not a School Day” masterclass alongside Mike ‘Bahbah’ Ngudle. As a multidisciplinary artist, Jordan’s focus was the intersection of design, sound, and interactivity.

He used advanced tools like TouchDesigner and VCV Rack to teach other creatives how to bridge the gap between physical performance and digital play. His work during this period was defined by gestural control and immersive audio-visual systems, turning human movement into real-time digital art.

Now: Air Max Residency at Floodhouse

Jordan is currently one of the five art finalists in the Air Max Residency at Floodhouse SA. Along with residents like Assante Chiweshe and Themba Mwanza, he has spent the last two weeks under the mentorship of Bahati Simoens. In this space, he is pushing the boundaries of his practice, exploring how “Air” moves beyond sneakers into the digital and physical realms of sound and visuals.

Like his fellow residents, Jordan will unveil his latest experimental work this Saturday, 28 March 2026.

4. Assante Chiweshe: Photographer & Visual Storyteller

Then: Adidas NMD V3 Launch

In 2022, Assante played a key role in the Adidas NMD V3 launch by capturing the visual essence of the event. Working alongside the Ebumnandin family, Assante documented the energy of a project that aimed to champion local creators who are “creating culture in every corner of their cities”.

Now: Air Max Residency at Floodhouse

Fast forward to today, Assante Chiweshe is one of the four finalists selected for the prestigious Air Max Residency at Floodhouse SA. Over the past two weeks, she has been deep in a process of experimentation, dialogue, and creative expression.

Under the mentorship of Belgian-Congolese artist Bahati Simoens, known for her “love letters to the Black body” through vibrant figurative works, Assante has been exploring new boundaries in her practice.

She is now ready to share the new body of work developed during this residency, which culminates in an exhibition this Saturday, 28 March 2026, exploring the themes of energy, movement, and culture

From Juta Street to the World

As these four artists prepare for the RMB Latitudes Art Fair in May, their progress at PlayBraam serves as a reminder to every young creative in the country: the distance between a crayon and a career is paved with residency, mentorship, and a lot of Air.

The 14th floor is just the beginning. When the lights go down on the Braamfontein skyline this coming Sarturday, these four residents will leave with a legacy.

Then vs Now: Meet the Nike Air Residency 2026 Art Finalists

Explore the 2026 Nike Air Max Residency, where four South African artists evolve from “Then vs. Now” into bold new voices shaping the creatives industry.

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