For artist Ros Koch, the idea of home has always been about more than a place. It is a feeling, a connection, and a thread that runs through much of her work. Now, that deeply personal approach to portraiture has earned her international recognition, with her portrait selected for the prestigious Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026 exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Koch is among a select group of artists chosen from more than 1,474 entries submitted by artists from 63 countries. Her shortlisted portrait will be exhibited as part of one of the world’s most respected portrait competitions, on view at the National Portrait Gallery from 25 June to 7 October 2026.
For any artist, being selected for the exhibition is a significant achievement. Since its inception more than four decades ago, the Portrait Award has attracted over 40,000 entries from artists in more than 100 countries and has been viewed by millions of visitors. It remains one of the most important platforms for contemporary portrait painters working today.
Born in the United Kingdom and based in South Africa since 1998, Koch has spent years exploring themes of identity, belonging, place and the human experience through painting, charcoal and ink. Her work often reflects the spaces between departure and arrival, and the ways in which people connect to landscapes, memories and one another.
“I’ve long been drawn to the idea of home, not simply as a place, but as a feeling,” says Koch. “Through paint, charcoal and ink, I explore identity, place and the human experience, hoping to leave room for the viewer to weave their own narrative into the work.”
Working from her home studio beneath Stellenbosch Mountain, Koch has built a practice that moves fluidly between large-scale oil paintings, charcoal drawings and mixed-media works. Her work is held in private and corporate collections across South Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.
The National Portrait Gallery shortlist marks another important milestone in a growing list of accolades. In 2025, her portrait The Age of Adolescence was selected for South Africa’s Top 100 Portrait Awards, and her latest recognition places her work on an international stage alongside some of the strongest contemporary portrait painters working today.
The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award celebrates excellence in contemporary portraiture and offers one of the largest prize funds in global art competitions. Beyond the awards themselves, the exhibition is widely regarded as a showcase of the many ways artists continue to explore portraiture in the 21st century, from traditional approaches to more experimental interpretations of the genre.
For South African audiences, Koch’s inclusion is a reminder of the calibre of artistic talent being produced locally and the growing presence of South African artists within major international exhibitions.
Exhibition Details
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026 Exhibition
National Portrait Gallery, London
25 June – 7 October 2026
Admission: Free
The exhibition presents the shortlisted works from this year’s competition and offers visitors an opportunity to experience some of the most compelling contemporary portraiture from around the world.
