After a month-long judging process that saw a panel of experts travel across South Africa, the 2026 Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition has announced the 123 artworks that will form part of this year’s prestigious exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum.
The selected works were chosen from 938 submissions collected at eight regional centres across the country. From Bloemfontein and Cape Town to Durban, Johannesburg, Polokwane, Potchefstroom, Pretoria and Gqeberha, the competition once again showcased the breadth of South Africa’s emerging artistic talent.
The final exhibition will open to the public on 10 September 2026, following the announcement of the overall winner, runner-up and merit award recipients.
The Journey to the Final Exhibition
The 2026 competition began on 9 and 10 June, when artists submitted their works at regional collection points across South Africa. Over the following four weeks, the judging panel travelled to each region, carefully reviewing every submission before selecting the works that will progress to the final exhibition.
The judging process was led by Sasol New Signatures Chairperson Pfunzo Sidogi alongside Sasol Art Curator Cate Terblanche and a regional art specialist at each stop. This year’s panel included Wessel van Huyssteen (Bloemfontein), Elmarie van Straten (Cape Town), Rachel Baasch (Durban), Richard “Specs” Ndimande (Johannesburg), Tshegofatso Mabaso (Polokwane), Isabel Mertz (Gqeberha), Annemi Conradie-Chetty (Potchefstroom) and Leana van der Merwe (Pretoria).
Reflecting on this year’s entries, Sidogi said the competition continues to demonstrate the strength of South Africa’s emerging visual arts sector.
“Each year we are encouraged by the calibre of artists entering Sasol New Signatures. While only a small percentage of entries can ultimately be selected, the overall quality and diversity of work submitted this year reflects the exciting future of contemporary South African art.”
Themes, Experimentation and Artistic Growth
According to Terblanche, this year’s submissions reflected artists who are increasingly confident in exploring complex ideas while experimenting with a wide range of materials and techniques.
She noted that many entrants engaged with deeply personal experiences while also responding to broader social, political and environmental conversations. At the same time, she emphasised that strong concepts must be supported by equally strong technical execution.
Regional judges echoed these observations, highlighting the high standard of work while encouraging artists to continue developing their individual creative voices.
Cape Town judge Elmarie van Straten described the submissions as technically accomplished and conceptually ambitious, encouraging artists to prioritise authenticity over following trends.
Johannesburg judge Richard “Specs” Ndimande praised the originality of many entries, particularly installation and photographic works. He encouraged artists to focus on creating work that feels true to their own practice rather than trying to anticipate what judges might be looking for.
Meanwhile, Bloemfontein judge Wessel van Huyssteen stressed the importance of presentation alongside concept, reminding artists that a compelling idea alone is not enough without thoughtful execution and attention to submission requirements.
In Polokwane, judge Tshegofatso Mabaso noted a noticeable improvement in the quality of entries compared to previous years, attributing this to returning artists who had taken earlier feedback on board and refined their practice.
Looking Ahead
Beyond recognising outstanding emerging artists, Sasol New Signatures continues to position itself as an important milestone for creatives developing their careers in the visual arts.
Sidogi encouraged artists to view the competition as part of a longer creative journey, noting that every submission contributes to the continued growth of South Africa’s visual arts community.
Terblanche also urged artists whose work was not selected this year to continue creating and refining their practice, describing each competition as an opportunity to learn, grow and return stronger in future editions.
Visitors to the Pretoria Art Museum will also have the opportunity to experience Die Vallei van Adem, a solo exhibition by 2025 Sasol New Signatures winner Juandré van Eck. The exhibition features a collection of ceramic sound vessels that invite audiences to interact with the artworks through touch and sound, offering a multisensory experience alongside this year’s showcase of emerging talent.
Together, the exhibitions promise a snapshot of South Africa’s contemporary visual arts landscape, celebrating both the country’s newest voices and the artists whose practices continue to evolve long after the competition itself.
