As South Africa commemorated Youth Month and honoured the legacy of the young people who shaped the country's history, students from the University of the Free State (UFS) demonstrated how today's youth continue to make meaningful contributions to society, including within the creative arts.

Through Emerging Forms, a dynamic group exhibition hosted by the Department of Fine Arts, young artists used creativity, critical thinking, and experimentation to explore the world around them and express the perspectives of a new generation.

The exhibition featured 70 artworks by 30 first-, second-, and third-year Fine Arts students, all produced during studio practice in 2025. Showcasing a wide range of artistic voices and approaches, Emerging Forms reflected the growth and transformation that take place as students develop their creative identities throughout their academic journeys. 

According to Johandi du Plessis-Kleynhans, Lecturer and researcher in the Department of Fine Arts, the exhibition offered visitors a unique opportunity to witness this process. "Emerging Forms showcased 70 artworks by 30 Fine Arts students, offering a glimpse into the growth, experimentation, and creative development taking place within the Department of Fine Arts," she said.

Celebrating the creativity of young artists

Working across disciplines, including painting, sculpture, fine art printmaking, installation, digital media, video, and performance art, students engaged with personal experiences, social issues, and contemporary realities through their work.

"Visitors could expect a diverse range of media, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, installation, digital media, video, and performance-based work," said du Plessis-Kleynhans. "The exhibition explored personal experiences, social observations, experimentation with materials, and the ways in which young artists make sense of the world around them."

From classroom learning to professional practice

Beyond showcasing artistic talent, Emerging Forms also reflected the department's commitment to preparing students for careers in the creative industries. The exhibition was curated by third-year students in partnership with the UFS Art Gallery as part of their coursework and professional training in art administration and gallery practice. This made Emerging Forms an exhibition of student art, curated by students.

"The exhibition represented the creative growth of our students and the department's commitment to experimentation, critical thinking, technical development, and professional practice," said Du Plessis-Kleynhans. "It celebrated the journey of becoming an artist."

"It was extremely important," she explained. "For many students, it was the first time their work had been exhibited publicly. It gave them practical experience of exhibiting, helped build confidence, and allowed them to see how audiences engaged with their work outside the studio environment."

More than art on a wall

While the exhibition celebrated artistic achievement, it also invited visitors to reconsider common perceptions about the arts and the people behind them. "People are often surprised by how much research, critical thinking, and problem-solving goes into making art," said du Plessis-Kleynhans. "Behind every artwork is a process of questioning, experimentation, reflection, and decision-making that extends far beyond what is immediately visible."

She encouraged everyone, not only those who considered themselves art enthusiasts, to engage with the exhibition. "Art is ultimately about people, ideas, and experiences. You do not need specialist knowledge to engage with it," she said. "The exhibition offered an opportunity to see how young artists were thinking about and responding to the world around them; there was something that everyone could connect with."

Reflecting on Emerging Forms

During Youth Month, the exhibition provided staff, students, and members of the public with an opportunity to celebrate the creativity, resilience, and innovation of the university's emerging artists.