Hustle, hustle … the time is almost here to enter the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition! With this in mind, we’ve put together some of the most frequently asked questions to assist you with your entry.
Contemporary, innovative and emerging artists with winning aspirations, who are willing to go beyond their imagination, are invited to submit their artworks at one of several collection points around the country on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 June for judging and selection for the Sasol New Signatures exhibition 2022. A completed entry form and supporting documentation must be submitted along with the artworks.
The overall winner will receive R100 000 and 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. All selected entries will be that will be exhibited at the Pretoria Art Museum and featured in the prestigious exhibition catalogue.
All your questions answered:
Where do I get an entry form? The entry form is available on the Sasol New Signatures website and at the collection points
Do I have to be a student to enter? No, not at all! All South African artists who are 18 years or older, who have not yet held a solo exhibition (except for an exhibition that was held for academic purposes) can enter.
Is there an upper age limit? No, if you have not had a solo exhibition you are allowed to enter.
Do I have to be a South African citizen? Yes! Only artists who are South African citizens (South African identity document) or permanent residents (Permit of Permanent Residence) may participate in the competition. International students who do not have a Permit of Permanent Residence are not allowed to enter.
What is an artist statement? Your entry must be accompanied by your conceptual statement/ synopsis that outlines the central idea of the work. This must not be longer than 250 words. Approach a mentor to assist you if you are struggling and keep it short.
I can’t afford to frame my work … An artwork does not have to be framed but all hanging accessories need to be supplied, for example a dowel rod and fold-back clips if you are hanging a drawing, print, photograph, etc. Make sure that the artwork is clean – no fingerprints. If you are confused, please refer to clause 19 on the entry form.
How many works can I enter? An artist may enter a maximum of two artworks. A single artwork could be made up of several parts for example a triptych. Please do take note of the size limit of 250 cm x 250 cm x 250 cm for each entry.
What happens to my work if it is selected? Selected artworks from the regions are taken to the Pretoria Art Museum by Stuttaford Van Lines. They are then photographed for the catalogue by a professional photographer and curated for the final exhibition. Please note that entrants submitting in Johannesburg, whose artworks are selected, will need to transport their artworks to Pretoria Art Museum.
What happens to my work if it is not selected? You must collect your artwork on the specified date (refer to clause 35 and 36 on the entry form). You will not be reminded to fetch your artwork from the drop-off point. Your artwork will be disposed of if alternative arrangements have not been made with the organisers.
Do I need to submit the entry form prior to the submission days on June 7 and June 8?
No, entry forms and all supporting documents must accompany the artwork on the submission days.
Am I able to submit my work online? No, sadly not! You must deliver the original artwork to a collection point on 7 or 8 June.
I’m a Photographer and Filmmaker – must I print and frame my work or can I submit digitally? Photographs must be printed and submitted along with a completed entry form and supporting documentation at a collection point on 7 or 8 June 2022. Works cannot be submitted digitally. You do not need to frame them but please bear in mind the overall display and the way they are hung helps in the judging process. All artworks must be display ready. Videos must be submitted in MP4 HD format. The file can be sent to [email protected]via WeTransfer/ Dropbox or it can be brought to a collection point on a memory stick. Remember to include an entry form and the supporting documentation. Videos can be no longer than five minutes. Refer to clause 27 on the entry form.
What is visual art? I am a singer and dancer, can I enter the competition? The Sasol New Signatures Art Competition is a competition for the visual arts – music, dance, fashion, creative writing and poetry do not fall into the visual art category.
Do I get my work back? You do get your artwork back after the competition unless it is sold during the exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum. Please refer to the clause 35, 36, 39 and 40 on the entry form.
Can I courier an artwork to a collection point? You can courier your artwork to a collection point. We suggest you contact them ahead of time to make the necessary arrangements and inform them of the delivery.
Can someone submit a work on my behalf? Yes, you can ask someone to submit a work on your behalf. Please attach a letter of consent to the entry form.
Can someone collect a work on my behalf? Yes, you can ask someone to collect a work on your behalf. Please give them a letter of consent and a copy of your ID.
What is the Feedback Session and why should I attend? Entrants are strongly advised to attend the Feedback Sessions. The National Chairperson will be at the collection point after regional judging and selection to give general feedback as to why certain entered works were accepted and others rejected. Please note that the chairperson will offer a general overview in this regard and not give individual feedback or enter into personal discussion with entrants.
Make sure to read the entry form thoroughly, view the information video and visit the Sasol New Signatures blog for tips and advice on presentation, pricing and making sure your entries are ready for the judges.
Drop off points:
- Bloemfontein: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, 16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein
- Cape Town: AVA (Association for Visual Arts Gallery), 35 Church Street, Cape Town
- Durban: KZNSA Gallery, 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, Durban
- Johannesburg: FADA Building, Department of Visual Arts, University of Johannesburg, Bunting Road Campus, Auckland Park, Johannesburg
* All entrants submitting work at FADA will be required to present a COVID-19 vaccination card, a digital vaccination card or a picture of their vaccination card clearly indicating name and ID number on entering the campus. If unvaccinated, entrants may also present a negative Covid-19 test (48 hours or less).
- Polokwane: The Polokwane Art Museum, Library Gardens, corner Grobler & Hans van Rensburg Street, Polokwane
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth): NMU Bird Street Gallery – Nelson Mandela University, Bird Street Campus, 20 Bird Street, Central, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- Pretoria: Pretoria Art Museum, corner Francis Baard (previously Schoeman) and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Pretoria
For more info on the competition, head over to www.sasolsignatures.co.za
