The Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition continues to provide a powerful platform for emerging South African artists to showcase their creativity, resilience, and vision for a better future. Through this initiative, young and upcoming talent from across the country are celebrated, mentored, and given the opportunity to take their art beyond traditional boundaries.
One of the latest winners, Honours student Juandré van Eck, impressed judges with a ceramic piece titled Cycles of the Mind. His work emulates the rhythmic patterns of breath, symbolising both liberation and contemplation. It draws on water as a source of life and resilience, offering comfort and the promise that even in moments of darkness, hope can rise. Van Eck envisions his art being used in meditation spaces or as a bridge to connect people with nature, promoting mindfulness and healing.
The runner-up, Thabo Treasure Mofokeng, drew inspiration from the resilience of a neighbour living with paralysis. His painting Still Standing honours the spirit of perseverance, strength, and adaptability – a reminder of the human capacity to rise above hardship.
This inclusive competition continues to receive hundreds of submissions from across the country, representing disciplines as diverse as ceramics, painting, etching, mixed media, textiles, and digital design. Finalists’ works are showcased both in a physical exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum and through virtual platforms, ensuring access for audiences everywhere.
What makes the competition unique is its ability to go beyond aesthetics, celebrating art that sparks dialogue, invites interaction, and connects with people emotionally and spiritually. Judges highlight that many emerging artists are now creating works that demand to be felt and experienced, not only observed.
For Sasol, supporting the competition for more than three decades is about more than art – it is about investing in young people, creativity, and the transformative power of ideas. As Sasol leadership has emphasised, the New Signatures platform reflects a shared belief that art can inspire progress, build bridges across communities, and shape the future of society.
The initiative also provides winners with financial support, mentorship, and career-shaping opportunities such as solo exhibitions. Merit award recipients and finalists alike benefit from exposure to industry leaders, curators, and art enthusiasts, helping them build sustainable careers in the arts.
Through the Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition, South Africa’s emerging artists are not only recognised for their talent but are also empowered to use their creativity as a tool for social impact, healing, and transformation.
