Roy Ockers

art collector and Founder

Following his passion for art, Roy travelled around the world, which led him to discover several talented artists. This began somewhat of an obsession to explore his insatiable fascination of art further, and after his travels, he then started collecting artworks, and developed a platform that both empowers artists and celebrates art - Banditto Art. He started inviting artists to Montefollonico, Tuscany, and this was how the Banditto Residency was born. He now works and lives between Tuscany and Amsterdam. Roy also loves visiting artists at their studios, meeting the talent behind the work, and strives to collaborate with those who’s work he admires. He delights in assisting these artists wherever possible in attaining their dreams, and has also started creating unique pop-up exhibitions in pursuit of fulfilling his personal mission - promoting emerging, or established, envelope-pushing artists that display promise in the international art community.

Carel Nolte

ADVISORY BOARD & PANEL

Carel Nolte is the founder of lifestyle business CN&CO and chief marketing officer at EasyEquities. He is essentially an investor in people and businesses, believing that 1+1 = at least 22. Carel is passionate – vocally so – about financial services and the arts and the impact they can, should, and must have on all South Africans.

Working with a few basic concepts – best encapsulated in his belief that unless we are dead, anything is possible – Carel aims to build long-term, sustainable value with like-minded individuals and companies, while having (a lot of!) fun.

Carel is a past board member of Business and Arts South Africa, where he chaired the human resources and marketing board committees. He is currently chair of the Saint Stithians College Council, as well as past chair of the NGO Johannesburg Services for the Homeless.

Carel holds an MA in English (cum laude) from the University of Stellenbosch as well as numerous insurance, law, and business qualifications from local and international institutes.

His passions include education, the arts, travel, ultra-marathons, books, cancer awareness, trees, champagne, clever people and smart brands.

Frans Smit

Professional artist, ADVISORY BOARD & PANEL

Frans Smit is represented by Galerie Wolfsen, Denmark, Maddox Gallery, London and Rhodes Contemporary Art, London.

Smit is fast becoming one of the rising stars within the South African art community. With more than forty exhibitions under his name, Smit’s artwork has been showcased local and internationally. He was selected for the Absa L’atelier award in 2008 and 2010. In 2013 he won the Queensplate “Moments” Photographic Competition and received a Merit Award at the Vuleka ArtAward. Smit has been selected for residency at Banditto in June 2019.

Aletta Alberts

With great sadness, we announce the passing away of our judging panel member and dear friend, Aletta.

She will be sorely missed.