Qhatha II

Soweto-born scoops Sasol New Signatures Title

Soweto-born Mohau Modisakeng emerged victorious at the 2011 Sasol New Signatures Competition, culminating in an evening filled with excitement at the Pretoria Art Museum. In recognizing the value and beauty of art in South Africa, the competition is in its 50th year.

Modisakeng's artwork titled, 'Qhatha' depicted spirituality and was ritualistic in its approach, winning the 25-year-old a grand prize of R60 000 and a solo exhibition next year at the Pretoria Art Museum. His work deals with identity and inner conflict that plays out in a set of eclectic and appropriated images.

The judges described his artwork as one that unites the artist's persona charging the work with a bold and sensual identity drawing the viewer into the space.

The runner up was Sikumbuzo Makhandula, who walks away with a cash prize of R15 000. His piece is praised an an example of how resourceful one can be with a video camera, orange bags and a rainstorm. The artist's piece is complex yet simple.

There were five Merit Award winners for the evening, Claire Jorgensen, Semona Turvey, Kristie van Zyl, Rivon Marlen Viljoen and Nicole Weatherby who walk away with R1000 each.

The national competition, sponsored by Sasol for the last 21 years, is presented annually with the Association of Arts Pretoria and is aimed at new, innovative and emerging young artists, 18 and older. With nearly 600 entries into this year's competition, the regional committees have selected a total of 82 art works for exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum.

South Africa's freshest talent is unearthed through this competition and it is a platform for up and coming artists to launch their careers while being awarded for excellence, originality and perceptiveness. The competition is the longest running national art competition South Africa has ever seen. Information sessions were held throughout the country with the aim of teaching emerging artists how to evaluate, appreciate and advance in the industry.

"The 73 finalists for the 2011 Sasol New Signatures are worthy of their selection. It has been interesting to notice a return to more traditional media and art-making processes with experimentation being the order of the day. There has been considerable attention paid to presentation with the general message hitting home that this competition focuses on the controversial, contemporary and cutting edge. A good balance remains between all media however, new and traditional. It is encouraging to see artists stepping up to the plate," says Peter Binsbergen, National Chairperson of the Sasol New Signatures selection panels.

According to Sasol Sponsorship Manager, Richard Hughes, the art competition is an important event on Sasol's arts calendar and underpins the company's commitment and support of visual arts in South Africa.

"At Sasol, we are conscious of our commitment to the people of South Africa and our obligation as a large corporate to contribute to the promotion of our unique African culture. The competition provides a springboard for artists to get recognized and catapult their careers to new heights. The artwork this year was an increase in creativity, talent and innovation. Congratulations to Mohau Modisakeng, we are going to see greatness from this young man," says Hughes. According to Pieter van Heerden, Director at the Association of Arts Pretoria, the Sasol New Signatures Competition creates an immense value in discovering and encouraging artistic talent.

"The competition is major promoter of artistic empowerment with the successes of previous award winners and participants as shining examples. The competition has created a national awareness, being a corporate social commitment that invigorates communities and contributes to the ideal of nation-building," adds Van Heerden.