Art competition grounds unique South African identity
JOBURG - The winners of this year's Sasol New Signatures Art Competition, one of the longest-running competitions of its kind in South Africa, are a true reflection of the current state of affairs in South Africa.
An initiative of the Association of Arts Pretoria, the competition has played a pivotal role in unearthing new artistic talent, providing a platform from which emerging artists can launch their careers. This year, the talent search saw a total of 590 entries from around the country.
Commenting on the calibre of the entries received this year, acclaimed artist, judge and national competition chairman, Pieter Binsbergen said this year’s finalists demonstrated the vital role that visual communication has come to play in grounding a unique South African identity.
“What has become most evident in the works of this year’s finalists is the innovative combination of materials, which are both traditional and unconventional by nature. I am of the opinion that this is done in order to empower the artworks conceptually with modes that ground the notion of personal and individual identity,” Binsbergen said.
This year’s submissions reflected an array of social and political issues ranging from tragedy, triumph, nostalgia, identity, transformation and integration.
Performing artist Nelmarie du Preez from Pretoria took top honours at the awards ceremony for her work titled to shout. She also received a cash prize of R100 000 and the right to hold a solo art exhibition next year.
Mareli Janse van Rensburg is this year’s runner-up for her work, The final moments of Immanuel Sithole, winning a R25 000 cash prize. Her art piece makes a statement about the media’s portrayal of the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa which claimed the life of Immanuel Sithole, a Mozambican national.
Five merit awards went to Colleen Winter, Sethembile Msezane, Bronwyn Katz, Nazeerah Jacub and Rory Emmett who each received a R10 000 cash prize.
