Hey there, Art Enthusiasts! Wondering if you’ve got the magic touch to craft a winning masterpiece?
Are you a South African visual artist over 18 who hasn’t held a solo exhibition yet? Hurry, you have only two weeks left to enter the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition. This competition, one of the longest-running of its kind in South Africa, is an exciting opportunity to get noticed and to win enough money to kick start your career.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? No sweat! We’ve got your back.
The competition chairperson, Pfunzo Sidogi, and Sasol’s Art Curator, Cate Terblanche, hosted two online sessions to help you prep your submissions and there’s two more to come. So far, they’ve tackled common questions, shared insider tips, and pointed out where past hopefuls stumbled.
“We strongly encourage all entrants to take advantage of these information sessions, including those from 2023, and to download the supporting factsheets from the website,” said Sidogi. “These resources will not only enhance their chances in this competition but will also benefit them as they progress in their artistic careers.”
The 2024 information session videos are aired once a week on Wednesdays. Missed the live sessions? No problem. You can catch them on the Sasol New Signatures YouTube channel (also embedded here for you).
The next two sessions will take place on 22 and 29 May and can be accessed on Sasol and the Association of Arts Pretoria’s Facebook pages and the Sasol New Signatures website. Artists are encouraged to tune in to gain valuable insights and improve their chances of success in the competition.
What the sessions are about
Session 1: What’s new this year? – 8 May
An overview of changes to the competition rules, submission points and types of art which can be submitted, including the use of AI.
Watch Session 1 now, click play below.
Session 2: Copyright and the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition – 15 May
Guest speaker Jenny Pienaar from Adams & Adams Attorneys will discuss the importance of understanding copyright law for artists.
Watch Session 2 now, click play below.
Session 3: Why wasn’t my work selected? – 22 May
This session focuses on feedback from last year’s competition, with specific emphasis on reasons why works are disqualified.
Session 4: What makes a winning work? – 29 May
In the last session, we look at some of the artworks by previous winners and discuss why they were successful.
If you can’t tune in to watch the live videos, you can always catch them on on the Sasol New Signatures YouTube channel which can be located at www.sasolsignatures.co.za. Here you can also watch the sessions from 2023.
The following topics were covered in 2023:
· General conditions – Why enter? Who can enter? Type of works including visual art and performance art. Dates and selection points.
· Understanding the entry form
· Preparing your art – Delivery of art, framing, displaying art, signing work and the Pretoria Art Museum’s hanging system.
· Supporting documentation: CV’s, Biographies, Synopsis, etc.
· What makes a winning work? – Judging process and what the judges look for, previous winners and their works.
Deadline for Submissions
Artworks can be submitted at one of several collection points around the country on Tuesday, 4 June and Wednesday, 5 June from 10h00 to 16h00. A completed entry form and supporting documentation must be submitted along with the artworks.
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:0152902579/8|Email: AmosL@polokwane.gov.za
Potchefstroom
Potchefstroom Museum, C/o Sol Plaatjie & Wolmarans Street, Potchefstroom
Cell: 071 331 7029 / 082 397 9367 | Email: potchkuns@gmail.com
Now, let’s talk prizes!
The winner of the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition will receive R100 000 and the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition at next year’s exhibition. The runner up will receive R25 000, and the five merit award winners will each walk away with R10 000.
Approximately 100 artworks will be selected to be featured in the official Sasol New Signatures catalogue for 2024 and be included in an exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum from Thursday, 5 September to Sunday, 3 November 2024.
Keen to dive in? Head to www.sasolsignatures.co.za for all the deets.
