World’s Best Fashion Painters: SMAL, RESKE, KHODEIR, CETYRKOVSKI, PRUYS, DEBAUN, BOLEN, WHITE, LIXIA, POPO & ROBLES / 2025 WORLD ART AWARDS
Artists from 58 countries competed in the 2025 WORLD ART AWARDS where 20 of the most revered galleries in the world were sent online images to score in drawing, painting, sculpture, digital and photography. The 300+ winning works, 1st to 6th Place (and ties) in all 50 categories, will be revealed in this column one category at a time, and also an upcoming movie.
The WINNERS in CATEGORY 15. FASHION represent SOUTH AFRICA, GERMANY, EGYPT, LITHUANIA, CANADA, USA, JAPAN, CHINA & PHILIPPINES.
BIO of 1st Place winner:
Marguerite Smal is a self-taught South African artist whose work is deeply rooted in the exploration of identity, societal roles, and the natural world. Born and raised in Pretoria, Marguerite’s passion for art was ignited during her high school years under the guidance of her art teacher, Mr. Marcus Coetser. His influence left a lasting impact on her creative development, shaping her approach to both technique and storytelling.
In 2020, Marguerite made a bold shift, leaving behind her successful career as a software developer to pursue her true calling as an artist. She started a small leather workshop, which allowed her to channel her creativity into various artistic endeavors, from handmade leather goods to intricate visual art. This decision marked a significant turning point in her life, enabling her to dedicate herself fully to her art and explore new creative horizons.
Living on a farm in Hennopsrivier, Gauteng, Marguerite finds constant inspiration in the natural beauty around her. Her environment, combined with a deep admiration for the strength and resilience of South African women, serves as the foundation for much of her work. She is particularly drawn to the stories of women who navigate the complexities of modern life while staying connected to their cultural and traditional roots.
Marguerite’s preferred mediums are oil paint, charcoal, and aquarelle pencils, which allow her to create rich textures and depth in her work. Whether using the boldness of oil paint to convey emotion or the soft subtleties of charcoal and pastels to bring out intricate details, she selects her medium based on the subject and the story she aims to tell. Each medium offers a different way to explore light, shadow, and texture, helping her to vividly portray the characteristics and stories of her subjects.
Her recent works focus on the internal conflict faced by young women torn between traditional expectations and the pressures of contemporary society. Her art explores the dual roles that women are often expected to play — as nurturers and providers, highlighting the emotional and cultural challenges they encounter. These themes resonate strongly in South Africa’s diverse cultural landscape, where women are frequently expected to balance family, career, and heritage.
Through her artwork, Marguerite captures the strength, vulnerability, and resilience of women, offering a nuanced portrayal of the challenges they face in an ever-evolving world. www.margueritesmal.com
WINNER WEBSITES AND CONTACTS:
CATEGORY 15. FASHION
1st Place MARGUERITE SMAL SOUTH AFRICA www.margueritesmal.com “The Pearl Of Limpopo II” 48x65cm Aquarell pencil (wet and dry).
2nd Place — Tie SUSANNE RESKE GERMANY https://www.atelier-kunst-fluss.de/ “Rebel / Series: Bathing Women” 65x100cm Acrylic, graphite, tissue on canvas.
2nd Place — Tie MOSTAFA KHODEIR EGYPT https://www.instagram.com/mostafa.khodeir “My Monaliza” 30x40cm Pen on paper.
3rd Place — Tie KSYSTOF CETYRKOVSKI LITHUANIA https://www.kcdesign.lt “The Moment” 120x80cm Oil on canvas.
3rd Place — Tie CHER PRUYS CANADA www.artbycher.ca “Moonchild” 10x8” Acrylic on paper.
4th Place — Tie BARRY DEBAUN USA www.barrydebaun.com “A Song In Her Heart” 30x40" Oil on canvas.
4th Place — Tie TERESA BOLEN JAPAN https://teresabolen.com “Portrait Of Ms. Yanagihara” 33.3x24.2cm Oil on panel.
5th Place — Tie FLORA WHITE CANADA https://pixelfed.ca/i/portfolio/fwhite “Back To School (The Original Sin)” 24x20" Acrylic on canvas.
5th Place — Tie GUAN LIXIA CHINA happy_holiday@126.com “The Thoughts Of Young Girls” 150x120cm Acrylic on linen.
6th Place — Tie POPO CHINA popo666.xx@gmail.com “No Title” 16x20” Oil on linen.
6th Place — Tie FERNANDO ROBLES PHILIPPINES 2donrobles@gmail.com “Reflections Of Time” 70x90cm Oil on canvas.
Art collectors can see hundreds of winning images and contact info to all 50 CATEGORIES of winning artworks:
In 2025, WORLD ART AWARDS had submissions from these 58 countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe.
The World Art Awards 20 Best Galleries & Museums for 2025 who were asked to score art: (in alphabetical order by country):
20 BEST INTERNATIONAL GALLERIES
Best in Cyprus: Lumière Contemporary Art Gallery
Best in Denmark: Galleri Christoffer Egelund
Best in Hong Kong: Pekin Fine Arts
Best in Iceland: Phenomenon Art Studios & Gallery
Best in Indonesia: Baik Art
Best in Malaysia: The Gallery des Artistes / Gallery@Tropicana
Best in Morocco: Comptoir des Mines Galerie
Best in Myanmar: New Treasure Art Gallery
Best in The Netherlands: The Arden Art Gallery
Best in Nigeria: The Thought Pyramid Art Centre
Best in The Philippines: Gravity Art Space
Best in Slovenia: Visconti Fine Art
Best in Sweden: Wetterling Gallery
Best in Taiwan: 1839 Contemporary Gallery
Best in Ukraine: Art Ukraine Gallery
Best in USA: California: CODA
Best in USA: New Mexico + Texas: Thornwood Gallery
Best in USA: Colorado: Mirada Fine Art
Best in USA: Florida: MAC Art Galleries
Best in Zambia: Zeela Art Gallery & Homestay
