Jozi boy is top seven finalist in national art contest
JOBURG –Final judging has been completed for the 27th Sasol New Signatures Art Competition with 100 artworks being shortlisted from around South Africa and seven finalists being selected for 2016.
The Sasol New Signatures competition has been a platform for promoting emerging artists and their work to the art-loving public at large.
Many of the works now have a proud place in the Sasol art collection and, this year, we have a Joburg-based artist representing the City of Gold – Shaun James Francis.
Sasol New Signatures national chairperson, Pieter Binsbergen said, “We have seen a definite rise in the quality of artworks submitted in 2016, which is extremely encouraging.”
This year, nationwide feedback sessions were introduced. These sessions allowed artists submitting entries to have their work critiqued which is a valuable addition for emerging artists. “The feedback sessions have been extremely well received by all the artists,” continued Binsbergen.
“Sasol New Signatures is not just an art competition but it has also become an educational journey for these emerging artists. This facilitated learning platform included discussions around pricing and how to approach galleries to sell works. It will see the standard of works submitted continue to get better and better.”
There have also been a number of exciting digital submissions this year from across many of the regions, which has seen artists breaking new ground and further harnessing the moving image.
“I am extremely impressed with the variety of submissions this year, many mapping the artists’ personal issues. The use of different mediums and craftsmanship is extremely exciting. The artists are pushing all sorts of boundaries in their works and concepts,” said Cecile Loedolf, art curator at Sasol and 2016 Sasol New Signatures judge.
The winner of the Sasol New Signatures competition will be announced at a ceremony on 7 September and the winner will receive R100 000 and a solo exhibition at next year’s event, with the runner-up winning R25 000. The five merit award winners will each receive R10 000.
Last year’s Sasol New Signatures winner, Nelmarie du Preez will hold her solo exhibition entitled Loops of Relation … a Continuation alongside the 2016 finalists.
A series of exhibition walkabouts and an interactive talks programme will take place during the month-long exhibition.
