Portrait Award 2025: Malik Mani Takes Top Prize with "Mask" - Between 10and5

Portrait Award 2025: Malik Mani Takes Top Prize with "Mask" - Between 10and5

It’s a big win for Upington and the Northern Cape, Malik Mani has just taken first place at the 2025 Portrait Award. His pencil drawing Mask, a hyperrealistic portrait of a male face breaking through a cracked surface, impressed the judges for its mix of technical skill, concept, and surreal intensity. It’s the first time the top prize has gone to an artist from the Northern Cape. Along with the title, Malik takes home R150,000 and a solo exhibi…

Northern Cape Artist Wins the 2025 Portrait Award

Malik Mani from Upington in the Northern Cape has been named the winner of the 7th edition of the prestigious Portrait Award. COMPILED BY Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied Taking first place for his hyperrealistic drawing Mask, Malik Mani was announced as the 2025 Portrait Award winner at a glittering gala evening held at Rust-en-Vrede Gallery on 29 August. The work impressed the judges for its mastery, innovation and layered meaning. Mask is a stri…