In line with this year's positioning of the Sasol New Signatures art competition, ‘Emerge' - students of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) will have an exclusive opportunity to collectively embellish a three meter tall emerging hand, in support of this annual competition.
The hand was delivered to the NMMU campus this week and students will have approximately a week to paint the structure. The artwork will be completed on Thursday, 19 April and an unveiling will take place after the Sasol New Signatures information session, held on the same day.
Once completed, the three meter hand will be transported by Stuttaford van Lines to the Pretoria Art Museum, where it will be displayed at the Sasol New Signatures awards evening and exhibition opening.
The Port Elizabeth information session takes place at 10:00am at the Quad Gallery, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, School of Music, Art and Design, Faculty of Arts, North Campus, Summerstrand, University Way. As part of the entry process, artists are urged to attend free information sessions, held nationally during April and May.
Information sessions are held around the country with the aim of equipping potential contestants with knowledge around the judging process, insight and background into the competition, advice on conceptualization and the display and presentation of work. Artists are urged to attend, as this is an integral part of the entry process.
Each information session is hosted by acclaimed artist and Chairman of the Sasol New Signatures art competition, Peter Binsbergen. He said that the competition is an excellent platform for emerging artists to showcase their work and to encourage a high standard of works in the arts community.
Sasol’s Sponsorship Manager, Richard Hughes said, “The Sasol New Signatures art competition is now in its 23rd year of discovering South Africa’s freshest talent. It provides a strong platform to evaluate, appreciate and advance South Africa’s emerging talent.”
The overall winner of the competition will walk away with a cash prize of R60 000 and an opportunity to hold a solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum next year. The runner up will walk away with R20 000 and five merit winners will receive R5 000 each.
RSVPs for the information session close on 18 April 2012.
More information and entry forms can be obtained from Nandi Hilliard at the Association of Arts Pretoria at 012 – 346 3100/083 288 5117 orwww.artsassociationpta.co.za or artspta@mweb.co.za. Interested parties can also visit www.sasolsignatures.co.za for more information.