Entries for the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition are now open.
Held annually in partnership with the Association of Arts Pretoria, the competition is open to all South African artists who are 18 years and older, who have not yet held a solo exhibition.
A solo exhibition entails a body of work of at least 20 works exhibited in a commercial gallery.
Artists can submit their artworks in all artistic mediums such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, performance art, video and installations.
There will be information sessions taking place across the country to educate emerging artists on how they can produce and submit winning work. There will also be feedback sessions, including at WHOW Studios, 2 Ixia Street, Durbanville, on Tuesday May 2, at 6.30pm. The intention is to assist aspiring artists to grow and guide them on how they can improve their art.
Artists must submit their artworks at collection points around the country by Thursday June 29 and Friday June 30, between 10am and 4pm. The final round of judging takes place at the Pretoria Art Museum. The judges are Dr Pieter Binsbergen, Nelmarie du Preez, Professor Raimi Gbadamosi, Cecile Loedolff, Mary Sibande and Gabriel Clark-Brown.
The winner of the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition will be announced on Wednesday August 30 at a gala event, after which the winning works will be displayed at the Pretoria Art Museum from Thursday August 31 to Sunday October 8. The winner will receive R100 000 and a solo exhibition at next year’s exhibition, with the runner up winning R25 000 and the five merit award winners receiving R10 000 each.
Zyma Amien, 2016 winner, will hold her first solo exhibition within the official exhibition later this year. “Artists who are working in a contemporary realm with current, cutting edge issues must consider entering this competition. The artwork is judged and not the colour, age or gender of the artist. The artwork should reflect the heartbeat of society. Due to the magnitude and the publicity that the Sasol competition generates; winning grants the artist the opportunity to highlight pertinent issues in public” said Amien.
For more information visit www.sasolnewsignatures.co.za. Bookings for the information session must be made through Nandi Hilliard on 012 346 3100, 083 288 5117 or artspta@mweb.co.za. Call WHOW Studios at 021 976 6784.
