This prestigious competition offers an exciting opportunity for emerging artists to showcase their talents and gain significant recognition and exposure within the art world.
Founded by the Association of Arts Pretoria in the 1960s, the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition has been instrumental in launching the careers of many South African visual artists.
Chairperson of Sasol New Signatures, Pfunzo Sidogi, emphasised the unique opportunities this competition offers: “This competition allows emerging artists to benchmark themselves nationally and provides a rare chance to have their work included in the Sasol New Signatures catalogue and exhibit at the Pretoria Art Museum. As the longest-standing competition of its kind, it serves as a platform for artists to demonstrate their skills and creativity without limits, fostering connections through the universal language of art.”
Artists are encouraged to take risks, try new techniques, and push themselves beyond their comfort zones in pursuit of artistic excellence. This competition affords them the luxury showcasing the transformative use of materials, using unconventional or non-traditional techniques and to create works of art that challenge traditional boundaries and expectations.
Why Should You Enter?
- Inclusivity: The competition is open to South African artists aged 18 years and older, with no upper age limit.
- Artistic Expression: Artists can enter up to two works in various artistic mediums, including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, video art, and installations.
- Rigorous Selection Process: Each entry undergoes a careful review by a panel of experienced judges, ensuring a fair and thorough selection process at both a regional and national level.
- Exposure: Selected works are exhibited at the Pretoria Art Museum and featured in both printed and digital catalogues as well as on social media platforms.
- Prizes: The winner receives R100,000 and a solo exhibition at the prestigious Pretoria Art Museum in 2025. The runner-up receives R25,000, and five merit award winners each receive R10,000. There is also widespread national media profiling for the winners with an extensive media and marketing campaign.
- Mentorship and Support: The Sasol New Signatures team, including Chairperson Sidogi and Sasol’s Art Curator, Cate Terblanche, offers invaluable mentorship and industry navigation support to the winners.
To assist entrants, Chairperson Pfunzo Sidogi and Sasol Art Curator Cate Terblanche have hosted informative online tutorials covering essential topics such as entry requirements, how to create a winning work, copyright and much more. Artists are encouraged to view these tutorials and download relevant factsheets to ensure their submissions meet the high standards expected. More information can be found at Sasol New Signatures Resources and on YouTube. Blogs, imagery, and catalogues from previous years are also available to view.
Don’t miss the chance to compete for one of the nation’s top art honours. Artworks can be submitted at one of several collection points around the country on Tuesday, 4 June and Wednesday, 5 June from 10am to 4pm. A completed entry form and supporting documentation must be submitted along with the artworks.
The winners of the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition will be announced on Wednesday, 4 September 2024.
Collection Points:
- Johannesburg
Sasol Place, 50 Katherine Street, Wierda Valley, Sandton | Tel: 010 344 5000 (Sasol Place Main Reception) | Email: art@sasol.com - Cape Town
Art B Gallery, Library Centre, Carl van Aswegen Street, Bellville, Cape Town | Tel: 021 444 6500 | Email: artb@artb.co.za
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Art on Target, 2 Target Kloof Road, Essexvale, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) | Tel: 041 373 3334 | Email: info@artontarget.co.za
- Pretoria
Pretoria Art Museum, corner Francis Baard and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Pretoria | Tel: 012 358 6750 | Email: artspta@mweb.co.za - Bloemfontein
Oliewenhuis Art Museum, 16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein | Tel: 051 447 9609 | Email: education@nasmus.co.za
- Durban
KZNSA Gallery, 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, Durban | Tel: 031 277 1705 | Email: gallery@kznsagallery.co.za
- Polokwane
The Polokwane Art Museum, Library Gardens, corner Grobler & Hans van Rensburg Street, Polokwane | Tel: 015 290 2579/8 | Email: AmosL@polokwane.gov.za
- Potchefstroom NEW
Potchefstroom Museum, c/o Sol Plaatjie & Wolmarans Street, Potchefstroom | Cell: 071 331 7029 / 082 397 9367 | Email: potchkuns@gmail.com
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