South African artists aged 18 years and older are invited to enter the 2025 Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts competition, offering more than R150 000 in prize money.
This premier competition is for emerging visual artists who have not yet held a solo exhibition, except for academic exhibitions such as those for a master’s degree.
The competition is open for artists working across all visual media, from traditional painting and drawing to printmaking, sculpture, photography, video, and installation.
Artists who are represented by established galleries or agents, or who are employed as full-time lecturers in visual art or design, are not eligible.
The overall winner is guaranteed R100 000, as well as the opportunity to present a solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum in 2026.
The runner-up will take home R25 000, and five merit award winners will each receive R10 000.
Now in its 35th year, the competition remains the most prestigious platform for emerging artists to break into the professional art world.
It is a launchpad for creative careers, a celebration of bold and fresh ideas, and a testament to the transformative power of visual storytelling and the ability of art to inspire, challenge, and connect.
Many former winners and finalists have gone on to establish themselves nationally and internationally, having their work showcased in leading galleries, museums, and biennales.
Some of the most notable names to emerge from the past, Miné Kleynhans, a Bloemfontein-based sculptor, won the 2024 edition of this art competition.
Her winning installation piece is titled Meditations on Resentment.
Kleynhans, a project coordinator at the University of the Free State (UFS) Art Gallery, has a solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum for this year.
Entries must be submitted on 10 and 11 June, between 10:00 and 16:00. Those interested in entering should take note that no late entries will be accepted.
Candidates in the Free State can submit their entries at the Oliewenhuis Art Museum at 16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein.
For information, they can dial 051 447 9609 or send email to oliewen@nasmus.co.za.
