POLOKWANE – Thomas Masingi (35) from Limpopo recently represented the province at the prestigious Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition 2026.

Masingi, who was born and raised in Limpopo and currently lives, studies and works in Pretoria, is pursuing his master’s degree in visual arts at the University of South Africa.

A multidisciplinary artist

He is a visual artist, curator, writer and poet who works across a range of media including:

• Mixed-media drawing
• Printmaking
• Photography
• Performance
• Video art
• Other forms of digital art

His work explores themes surrounding masculinity, blackness and mental health, including fragility, vulnerability, toxicity, the concept of the self and the shadow self, depression and anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

938 works submitted

This year, a total of 938 works were submitted at eight collection points across South Africa. Of these, 123 were selected to advance to the final round and to appear in the 2026 exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum.

Masingi’s work, “The desire to become one series, 2025” – digital photography on true ivory – earned him a merit award of R10 000 as one of five merit winners representing other provinces.

He has exhibited at numerous galleries around Pretoria and Johannesburg and is also a young curator who has curated several exhibitions around Pretoria.

‘I could not believe it’

“When I received the news that I’ve been selected as one of the final seven, I could not believe it. I have been feeling very good about my work lately because of the consistency in terms of my work ethic and I have witnessed a lot of growth in terms of my technical skills and conceptual development, however this came as a surprise. I felt like my eyes were about to pop out of their sockets in disbelief,” Masingi said.

Fourth time entering

He added this is his fourth time entering.

“To be honest, after my work was not selected last year, I felt aggrieved. This year, I was uncertain about entering the competition, however, Amos Letsoalo from Polokwane Art Museum encouraged me to enter, stating that he felt that my work was compelling, and that I was touching very important issues that are rarely spoken about.”

He added his partner also supported the suggestion to enter, as she had played a major role in his artistic growth.

Currently curating at Polokwane Art Museum

Masingi is currently curating “Monna ke Nku (Chapter 2)” – a group exhibition at the Polokwane Art Museum.

36 years of Sasol sponsorship

Sasol has sponsored the competition for 36 years.

“Sasol New Signatures has provided a vital platform for emerging artists to share their perspectives and challenge convention. We believe creativity plays an important role in shaping society,” Sasol senior manager of group brand and sponsorships, Nozipho Mlambo said.

Director of Association of Arts Pretoria Pieter van Heerden said the competition provides a platform for new voices and new ways of seeing the world.

Exhibition details

The exhibition runs at the Pretoria Art Museum from September 10 to November 8, alongside the solo exhibition of 2025 winner Juandré van Eck.