Now in its 35th year of Sasol’s sponsorship, Sasol New Signatures remains the most prestigious platform for emerging artists to break into the professional art world. Chairperson of Sasol New Signatures, Pfunzo Sidogi and 2024 winner Miné Kleynhans, join Yolanda Maartens in the OFM Art Beat with all the details.

A launchpad for creative careers, a celebration of bold and fresh ideas, and a testament to the transformative power of visual storytelling and the ability of art to inspire, challenge, and connect.

Under the custodianship of the Association of Arts Pretoria, the Sasol New Signatures has a proud legacy of launching the careers of some of South Africa’s most respected and recognisable contemporary artists. 

Nosiviwe Matikinca, winner in 2023. Photo supplied

The proof is in the pudding for the Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition as it truly has been a launchpad for many careers, as many former winners and finalists have gone on to establish themselves nationally and internationally. 

Some of the most notable names to emerge from the past  35 years of Sasol’s patronage of the competition include: Candice Breitz (Merit 1991), Johan Thom (Judge’s award 2001), Mohau Modisakeng (Winner 2011), Haroon Gunn-Salie (Merit 2013), Lebohang Kganye (Winner 2017),  and Patrick Rulore (Winner 2019). 

Andrea du Plessis, winner in 2021. Photo supplied

“We are delighted to once again open the call for entries to South Africa’s longest-running and respected art competition,” said Pfunzo Sidogi, Chairperson of Sasol New Signatures. 

The competition is open to all South African artists aged 18 and older who have not yet held a solo exhibition, except for academic exhibitions such as those for a Master’s degree. Artists working across all visual media, from traditional painting and drawing, to printmaking, sculpture, photography, video, and installation, are encouraged to enter. Artists who are represented by established galleries or agents, or who are employed as full-time lecturers in visual art or design, are not eligible.

The overall winner will receive R100 000, as well as the  opportunity to present a solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum in 2026. The runner-up will receive R25 000, and five merit award winners will each receive R10 000.

Submission Dates and Key Information

Entries need to be submitted on 10 and 11 June. Artists must submit their entries in person at one of eight collection points around South Africa on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 June 2025 between 10h00 and 16h00. 

Final judging will take place on Monday, 4 August 2025. The 2025 Sasol New Signatures exhibition, showcasing the work of the finalists, will be held at the Pretoria Art Museum from Thursday, 4 September to Sunday, 2 November 2025.

Collection points

• Bloemfontein

Oliewenhuis Art Museum, 16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein

Tel: 051 447 9609

Email:  oliewen@nasmus.co.za

• Cape Town

Art B Gallery, Library Centre, Carl van Aswegen Street, Bellville, Cape Town

Tel:  021 917 1197

Email:  artb@artb.co.za

• Durban

KZNSA Gallery, 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, Durban

Tel:  031 277 1705

Email:  gallery@kznsagallery.co.za

• Johannesburg

Sasol Place, 50 Katherine Street, Wierda Valley, Sandton

Tel:  010 344 5000 (Sasol Place Main Reception)  

Email:  art@sasol.com

• Polokwane

The Polokwane Art Museum, Library Gardens, corner Grobler & Hans van Rensburg Street, Polokwane

Tel:  015 290 2579/8

Email:  AmosL@polokwane.gov.za

• Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth):

NMU Bird Street Gallery - Nelson Mandela University, Bird Street Campus, 20 Bird Street, Central, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

Tel:  041 504 3293

Email:  jonathan.vanderwalt@mandela.ac.za

• Potchefstroom

Potchefstroom Museum, C/o Sol Plaatjie & Wolmarans Street, Potchefstroom
Cell:  071 331 7029 / 082 397 9367

Email:  potchkuns@gmail.com

• Pretoria

Pretoria Art Museum, corner Francis Baard and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Pretoria

Tel:  012 358 6750 

Email:  artspta@mweb.co.za

For more information:

www.sasolsignatures.co.za 

Or contact: Nandi Hilliard from the Association of Arts Pretoria 

012 346 3100 / 083 288 5117 or artspta@mweb.co.za.

Instagram: @sasolnewsignatures 

Social Media hashtag: #SasolNewSignatures

OFM