The Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO) proudly hosted an evening of creativity and celebration on Thursday, 3 April 2025, marking the official opening of Sea-Crits in the Water, a solo exhibition by Tshepo Bopape, recipient of the 2024 DALRO Visual Arts Merit Award.
The event brought together artists, collectors, cultural practitioners, media representatives, and members of the broader arts community to witness a powerful showcase of emerging South African talent. This exhibition forms the culmination of Bopape’s nine-month residency awarded through DALRO’s Visual Arts Merit Award programme, an initiative dedicated to empowering early-career visual artists through studio access, materials, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.
Presented at the DALRO Gallery in Bramley, Sea-Crits in the Water offers a compelling visual narrative that interrogates identity, environment, and personal transformation through a contemporary African lens. Bopape’s distinctive artistic language and immersive approach to storytelling were met with resounding praise from attendees.
A testament to the resonance and relevance of Bopape’s work, several pieces were swiftly acquired within the first hour of the exhibition opening, a notable achievement for an emerging artist. The enthusiastic response from collectors affirms the growing appetite for new voices in contemporary South African art and emphasises the impact of DALRO’s investment in creative excellence.
This has been a space of transformation for me,” said Bopape in his address to guests. “DALRO’s support allowed me to explore my voice more fully as an artist, and I’m honoured to share this journey with the public.
DALRO will host an artist-led Walkabout on Saturday, 12 April 2025, from 11:00 to 13:00 at the DALRO Gallery, 15 Forest Road, Bramley, Johannesburg. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the works alongside the artist, gaining insight into the concepts, processes, and personal narratives that shape Sea-Crits in the Water. This intimate experience invites art lovers, students, and practitioners to connect more deeply with the work and the artist behind it.
Sea-Crits in the Water is open to the public from Friday, 4 April to Wednesday, 30 April 2025, on weekdays between 08:00 and 16:00 at the DALRO Gallery, 15 Forest Road, Bramley, Johannesburg. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the works and consider acquiring pieces for their personal or institutional collections.
In alignment with DALRO’s mission to promote and protect the rights of creators, this exhibition highlights the organisation’s dedication to cultivating sustainable careers in the arts. The DALRO Visual Arts Merit Award continues to serve as a platform for emerging talent, bridging creative potential with professional growth.
