Our belief in the talent of South Africa’s emerging artists finds expression in the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition, presented in collaboration with the Association of Arts Pretoria. As the oldest art competition in the country, Sasol New Signatures provides a strong platform to evaluate, appreciate and advance our emerging talent. It provides entry to the dynamic world of visual arts and inspires emerging artists to show their work publicly. With its outreach information sessions, it also offers artists a valuable learning experience.

We invite all emerging artists to take up the challenge of entering this respected competition in 2010, the 21st year that Sasol has been its sponsor. The competition is held annually and is open to all South African artists who are 18 years and older, who have not held a solo exhibition except for academic purposes.

Artists are invited to submit a maximum of two artworks at one of the eight collection points around the country or via the internet. Physical entries must be submitted on Monday, 26 July 2010 and Tuesday, 27 July 2010 between 10:00 and 16:00 and online entries may be submitted from 1 to 27 July 2010 at www.sasolsignatures.co.za.

“Every year, the competition becomes more challenging than ever, as the judges will be looking for artworks that demonstrate outstanding craftsmanship, creativity and innovation,” says Peter Binsbergen, chairperson of the 2010 Sasol New Signatures Art competition.

Peter Binsbergen (BA Fine Arts cum laude, MA painting, University of Pretoria) is a seasoned art instructor. In 1993 he became Head of the Department of Visual Art at the Pretoria Boys High School. In 2007 he was appointed Course Co-ordinator for Arts Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria. He won several awards amongst others the ABSA Bank award for his contributions to the visual arts and art education. He was a finalist in both the ABSA Atelier and Sasol New Signatures art competitions and later also acted as member of the panel of judges for major art competitions. He is an acclaimed artist with a record of 14 hugely successful solo exhibitions. His works are included in public and private collections in South Africa and abroad. Some of them are hosted by corporations in Finland, America and England.

Regional judges will select approximately 100 works which will be exhibited at the Sasol New Signatures exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum from 8 September to 3 October 2010.

More details can be obtained from Nandi Hilliard at the Association of Arts Pretoria at 012 346 3100.