For 34 years, the Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition has been South Africa’s premier platform for emerging artists. Now in its 35th year, the competition continues to discover and elevate new talent.
With the help of the Association of Arts Pretoria, the competition has launched the careers of several artists, including Candice Breitz (Merit Award Winner 1991), Johan Thom (Judge’s Award Winner in 2001), Mohau Modisakeng (Winner 2011), Haroon Gunn-Salie (Merit Award Winner in 2013), Lebohang Kganye (Winner 2017), and Patrick Rulore (Winner 2019).
“We are delighted to once again open the call for entries to South Africa’s longest-running and respected art competition,” said Pfunzo Sidogi, Chairperson of Sasol New Signatures. “The competition is free to enter, making it one of the most accessible high-profile competitions in the country. We are looking for work that is original, bold in vision, and capable of sparking thought and emotion.”
The competition is open to South African artists aged 18 and older who have not yet held a solo exhibition (excluding academic exhibitions). Artists working in any visual medium – including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, video, and installation – are eligible. Artists represented by established galleries or agents, or employed as full-time visual art or design lecturers, may however not enter.
The winner will receive R100 000 and a solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum in 2026, while the runner-up will be awarded R25 000, and five merit winners will each receive R10 000.
“Sasol New Signatures is more than just an art competition, it’s a space where potential is recognised, dreams are launched, and new chapters in the story of South African art are written” said Nozipho Mbatha, Senior Manager of the Sasol Group Brand and Sponsorships.
The competition will again provide educational resources for entrants, such as online sessions, tutorials, fact sheets, and a blog. Chairperson Pfunzo Sidogi and Sasol Art Curator Cate Terblanche will lead the campaign, helping artists navigate the competition’s technical and conceptual requirements.
“Our online content provides invaluable guidance and insight into what makes a successful submission, and we encourage all artists to make use of these tools,” explained Terblanche. “The Sasol New Signatures website is a treasure trove of knowledge and includes past catalogues, finalist interviews and detailed entry information is readily available.”
Sidogi added: “While being selected as the overall winner is the ultimate accolade, even being named a finalist can be a turning point in an artist’s career. It’s an opportunity to be seen, heard and celebrated.”
Artists must submit entries at one of the collection points across South Africa on 10 and 11 June 2025 (10:00–16:00). The Oliewenhuis Art Museum serves as a collection point in Bloemfontein.
For more information, visit www.sasolsignatures.co.za.
Entry Form: https://www.sasolsignatures.co.za/…/SNS25-Entry-Form…
Compiled by Warren Hawkins
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