Association of Arts Pretoria
173 Mackie Street
Nieuw Mucleneuk
Pretoria, South Africa
Pretoria Art Museum
Cnr Francis Baard and Wessels Str,
Arcadia Park,Arcadia,
Pretoria, South Afric
Tel: 012 358 6750
A word from our judges
Artists choose to enter the Sasol New Signatures Art competition because they have a desire to win and to stand out from the crowd and ultimately “Be Discovered”.
Submitted works must make strong statements, ask pressing or uncomfortable questions, or exhibit high quality of craftsmanship and technical skill. In approaching the competition artists should spend time reflecting on the reasons for entering and visualise their desired result.
Technical excellence alone is not enough. A winning work should epitomise the marriage between form, content and mode of delivery.
Once an artist has formed an idea or concept, it is important to revisit the conditions of entry and evaluate the idea against the detailed requirements.
All submitted works are judged individually based on the use of material, quality of craftsmanship and skill, concept and any elements, which in the view of the judges serve to enhance the artistic merits of the work. The work needs to have a strong conceptual approach with the potential to trigger a serious intellectual discussion in some form or another.
It is important that the works reveal an expert handling of materials and techniques and are presented in such a way that informs the judges that the artist was mindful of the work having to stand in its own right as an artwork.
Artists need to seriously consider professional presentation and works must be display-ready when entered. Optimal presentation ensures that talent and good work do not fall by the whey side due to bad presentation and planning.
The final round of judging takes place at the Pretoria Art Museum once the exhibition, which includes all the regionally selected works, has been curated.
The final selection panel, comprising six judges, chooses the winners.
Final judging panel for 2017
Pieter Binsbergen (Chairman)
Gabriel Clark Brown (Editor of SA Art Times)
Nelmarie du Preez (Overall winner 2015)
Prof Raimi Gbadamosi (University or Pretoria)
Cecile Loedolff (Sasol Art Curator)
Mary Sibande (artist)