About the Collection
A South African collection,
held in public trust since 1965.
Six decades of collecting — from 12 paintings for a prestige calendar to one of the country's most significant corporate holdings.
- Founded
- 1965
- Works
- 1 700+
- Artists
- 500+
- Venues
- Bellville · Sandton
About the Sanlam Art Collection
The Sanlam Art Collection came into being on 9 March 1965 when the Sanlam Board approved the acquisition of 12 paintings by well-known artists for the production of a prestige calendar in the coming year. The collection has grown considerably since and has proved to be a good investment, with the current valuation of the collection exceeding twenty times what it has cost to acquire.
The collection is seen not only in Sanlam offices but also in touring exhibitions across South Africa. Sanlam continues to acquire significant images by established and emerging artists in South Africa and with this Centennial exhibition reaffirms its commitment to supporting the visual arts for generations to come.
The collection continues to grow through active acquisition, loans and touring exhibitions — an evolving public record of South African art held in trust for future audiences.
Stefan Hundt
Curator, Sanlam Art Collection · Since 1997
About the Curator
Stefan Hundt
Stefan Hundt has been curator of the Sanlam Art Collection since 1997.
Since his appointment the collection has expanded with additions of some 500 artworks dating from late 19th Century to the present. The collection boasts a representative overview of South African art.
As curator Hundt is also responsible for exhibitions. Over the past decade he has been responsible for the regular exhibitions at the Sanlam Art Gallery in Bellville, Sanlam Art Lounge in Sandton, as well as regular national travelling exhibitions that have showcased the Sanlam Art Collection and first time solo exhibitions by under-recognised artists.
Prior to his appointment at Sanlam, he served as curator for the Oliewenhuis Art Museum, a satellite of the National Museum in Bloemfontein. He continues to practice as an art historian publishing articles on corporate collecting and catalogues featuring the Sanlam Art Collection and selected artists. For the past 26 years he has played an active role in the South African art world, 21 of which have been dedicated to expanding the Sanlam's investment in its art collection.
Hundt also leads the Sanlam Private Wealth Art Advisory Service which was launched in September 2010. It is the first of its kind in South Africa. The Art Advisory Service helps investors choose artworks that are likely to enjoy good returns, as well as set up an art portfolio that forms part of an investor's overall portfolio.
Hundt holds a BA in Fine Arts with honours from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) and studied History of Art at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Milestones
Six decades of
collecting.
Auto-scrolling timeline — key years, works, and voices that shaped the Sanlam Art Collection since 1965.
The beginning
On 9 March, Sanlam's Board approves the acquisition of 12 paintings by well-known artists for a prestige calendar. The collection is born.
12
Founding works
1965
1970s–80s
Thomas Baines · Landscape Building the canon
Focused acquisitions of established South African painters and printmakers — landscape, portraiture, and early modernism enter the collection.
Helen Sebidi Helen Sebidi
Painter
Layered memory-work rooted in rural Sotho life and urban migration.
New voices, post-1994
The collection actively broadens its remit — new artists, new media and new geographies as a democratic South Africa reshapes the canon.
1995
1997
Stefan Hundt · Curator Stefan Hundt appointed Curator
Under his stewardship the collection expands by some 500 artworks — late 19th century to the present — and mounts regular touring shows.
Gerard Bhengu · Watercolour 40 years — a national survey
A centennial-scale survey exhibition tours nationally, taking the collection out of head office and into public galleries across the country.
1 700+
Works held
2005
2010
Sarah Mullins · Migrants Art Advisory Service
Sanlam Private Wealth Art Advisory Service launches in September — the first of its kind in South Africa, helping investors build serious art portfolios.
Re Mmôgô · Sanlam × MTN Re Mmôgô
2023 exhibition
Two collections, one conversation about South African art now.
Re Mmôgô — We are together
For the first time, the Sanlam and MTN Art Collections are shown side by side — a landmark dialogue between two of the country's great corporate holdings.
2023
2026
Frans Thoka · Contemporary Today
Over twenty times the collection's original acquisition value; continued acquisition of established and emerging artists, and a full year of touring shows.
20×
Original value
Blessing Ngobeni 500+ artists represented
From heritage figures to emerging voices — the collection is a living archive of South African art history.
500+
Artists
Now
1965
The beginning
On 9 March, Sanlam's Board approves the acquisition of 12 paintings by well-known artists for a prestige calendar. The collection is born.
12
Founding works
Thomas Baines · Landscape Building the canon
Focused acquisitions of established South African painters and printmakers — landscape, portraiture, and early modernism enter the collection.
1970s–80s
1995
Helen Sebidi Helen Sebidi
Painter
Layered memory-work rooted in rural Sotho life and urban migration.
New voices, post-1994
The collection actively broadens its remit — new artists, new media and new geographies as a democratic South Africa reshapes the canon.
Stefan Hundt · Curator Stefan Hundt appointed Curator
Under his stewardship the collection expands by some 500 artworks — late 19th century to the present — and mounts regular touring shows.
1997
2005
Gerard Bhengu · Watercolour 40 years — a national survey
A centennial-scale survey exhibition tours nationally, taking the collection out of head office and into public galleries across the country.
1 700+
Works held
Sarah Mullins · Migrants Art Advisory Service
Sanlam Private Wealth Art Advisory Service launches in September — the first of its kind in South Africa, helping investors build serious art portfolios.
2010
2023
Re Mmôgô · Sanlam × MTN Re Mmôgô
2023 exhibition
Two collections, one conversation about South African art now.
Re Mmôgô — We are together
For the first time, the Sanlam and MTN Art Collections are shown side by side — a landmark dialogue between two of the country's great corporate holdings.
Frans Thoka · Contemporary Today
Over twenty times the collection's original acquisition value; continued acquisition of established and emerging artists, and a full year of touring shows.
20×
Original value
2026
Now
Blessing Ngobeni 500+ artists represented
From heritage figures to emerging voices — the collection is a living archive of South African art history.
500+
Artists