IT IS a fact that all visual artists want to sell as much of their artworks as possible, get the necessary exposure and become famous. But, this is almost impossible if they do not have the right platform from which to launch their careers.
Those who made it will tell you achieving success is a long, arduous and step-by-step process that takes a very long time.
It is for these reasons that art competitions such as the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition were introduced, to help young artists launch themselves.
The 52-year-old competition is one of the oldest in the country. It is aimed at developing young emerging artists.
Sasol sponsorship manager Richard Hughes says it is a platform for up-and-coming artists to launch their careers, while being rewarded for excellence, originality, innovation and perceptiveness.
He believes the competition is not about money, but the exposure young artists get. Hughes says that the competition has grown and the level of creativity has increased.
The overall winner of the competition walks away with R60,000 in cash and an opportunity to hold a solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum next year. Runners-up will receive a cash injection of R20,000 and the five merit winners will each be awarded R5,000.
Last year, the competition was won by Soweto-born Mohau Modisakeng with his piece titled Qhatha.
His work is about identity and inner conflict that plays itself out in a set of eclectic and appropriated images. Hughes says this year's theme for the competition is Emerge and, hopes it will entice artists to reveal their talents.
Emerge is all about emerging fresh talent and art.
"Sasol has created a strong platform for evaluation, appreciation and advancement of South Africa's emerging talent.
"Artists are offered a valuable learning experience with its outreach information sessions throughout the country," Hughes says.
The competition is open to artists aged 18 and older, who have not held a solo exhibition, except for academic purposes.
The Sasol New Signatures Art Competition encourages artists to think out of the box and speak their mind through various materials.
"We invite artists to submit one or two art works at one of several collection points around the country between July 3 and 4.
"Entries can be submitted to the Civic Centre, Nel Street, Nelspruit, on June 27," Hughes says. Information sessions will be held around the country to equip contestants with knowledge around the judging process.
"Artists are urged to attend as this is an integral part of the entry process," he says.
Helping artists take off
IT IS a fact that all visual artists want to sell as much of their artworks as possible, get the necessary exposure and become famous. But, this is almost impossible if they do not have the right platform from which to launch their careers.
Those who made it will tell you achieving success is a long, arduous and step-by-step process that takes a very long time.
It is for these reasons that art competitions such as the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition were introduced, to help young artists launch themselves.
The 52-year-old competition is one of the oldest in the country. It is aimed at developing young emerging artists.
Sasol sponsorship manager Richard Hughes says it is a platform for up-and-coming artists to launch their careers, while being rewarded for excellence, originality, innovation and perceptiveness.
He believes the competition is not about money, but the exposure young artists get. Hughes says that the competition has grown and the level of creativity has increased.
The overall winner of the competition walks away with R60,000 in cash and an opportunity to hold a solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum next year. Runners-up will receive a cash injection of R20,000 and the five merit winners will each be awarded R5,000.
Last year, the competition was won by Soweto-born Mohau Modisakeng with his piece titled Qhatha.
His work is about identity and inner conflict that plays itself out in a set of eclectic and appropriated images. Hughes says this year's theme for the competition is Emerge and, hopes it will entice artists to reveal their talents.
Emerge is all about emerging fresh talent and art.
"Sasol has created a strong platform for evaluation, appreciation and advancement of South Africa's emerging talent.
"Artists are offered a valuable learning experience with its outreach information sessions throughout the country," Hughes says.
The competition is open to artists aged 18 and older, who have not held a solo exhibition, except for academic purposes.
The Sasol New Signatures Art Competition encourages artists to think out of the box and speak their mind through various materials.
"We invite artists to submit one or two art works at one of several collection points around the country between July 3 and 4.
"Entries can be submitted to the Civic Centre, Nel Street, Nelspruit, on June 27," Hughes says. Information sessions will be held around the country to equip contestants with knowledge around the judging process.
"Artists are urged to attend as this is an integral part of the entry process," he says.
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