Deadline: March 6,
2015
The South African National Association for the Visual Arts
(SANAVA) urges artists to enter South Africa’s longest running art competition,
L’Atelier.
Association National President, Dirkie Offringa, says SANAVA
is proud to be associated with the competition “which has for 30 years stood
artists in good stead.” He says: “Apart from the monetary value, winners also
have the opportunity to work at a SANAVA studio at the Cité Internationale des Arts
in Paris, France.”
Absa Art and Museum Curator, Dr Paul Bayliss notes: “For the
first time in its 30-year history, L'Atelier has invited young and emerging
artists from Botswana, Zambia, Ghana and Kenya to enter the 2015 competition. L’Atelier
has had a significant impact on the lives of South African artists and Barclays
Africa is privileged to be able to continue this tradition and extend it to
young and emerging artists from other African countries. Historically, this
award has not only ensured that South Africa’s young and emerging artists were
recognised, but has also afforded them the opportunity to develop their talents
abroad. A look through the list of previous winners will testify to this.”
Offringa says the fact that L’Atelier now also includes
other African countries, broadens the horizons of SANAVA members as they now
enter a competition with a much wider participation base. “This is much more
advantageous for international recognition.”
Sponsored by Barclays Africa and hosted in conjunction with
SANAVA, L’Atelier is renowned for its role in inspiring, motivating and
promoting young artists. The competition has become a much-anticipated annual
highlight on the calendars of young and emerging artists who thrive on the
exposure their work receives from the countrywide exhibitions and the
exhibition catalogue, both of which play important roles in helping to further
their budding careers.
All young artists aged 21 to 35 years, residing in South
Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Zambia and Kenya are invited to enter the 2015
competition. Five coveted art residency prizes are awarded to the winners,
including a six month main prize at the Cité Internationale des Arts, three
merit residency award prizes and the Gerard Sekoto Award for the most promising
artist which includes a three month main prize at the Cité, sponsored by The
Alliance Française, the French Institute and the French Embassy.
Online entries for the competition are now open until March 6.
Once artists have completed their online entry form, artists can either
personally deliver or courier their artworks to their nearest collection point.
Collection points are open from March 2 to 6. All points close at 16h00 on March
6 and no late entries will be accepted
Originally known as the Volkskas Bank Atelier Competition,
it was later absorbed as part of Absa’s portfolio of events after the merging
of the founding brands of Absa (then known as Amalgamated Banks of South
Africa) in 1998. From 1999 until 2001, the competition was known as the Absa
Atelier Competition, and in 2002 it changed its name to Absa L’Atelier. In
2015, the competition enters another new chapter as it becomes part of the
Barclays Africa fold, following the acquisition by Barclays of a majority share
in Absa to form Barclays Africa Group in 2013. The competition is now known as
L’Atelier.
For more information, contact 011 350 3003 or visit www.absalatelier.co.za
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