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 Sikhumbuzo Nation Makandula, who walks away with a cash prize of R15 000. His piece is praised as 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 Sasol New Signatures exhibition takes place at the Pretoria Art Museum are open to the public from Thursday 1 September 2011 to Sunday 2 October 2011. For more information contact the Association of Arts Pretoria on 012 – 346 3100.
Visit www.sasolsignatures.co.za to view the merit awards and all the works on exhibition
Posted on September 8, 2011
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