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Sasol New Signatures is undoubtedly one of the most interesting art initiatives in South Africa, open to citizens of all ages, artists working in all media, and practitioners who are both formally educated or self-taught. The qualifying factors ensure emerging artists are given the chance to break into the industry, and are not competing against professional artists.
It's also South Africa's longest-running competition. Alumni over the decades include Patrick Rulore, Richard Penn, Mohau Modisakeng, Lebohang Kganye and Mondli Mbhele – placing entrants in excellent company.
Pfunzo Sidogi, chairperson of Sasol New Signatures, says of the competitionn, “For over six decades, Sasol New Signatures, alongside the Association of Arts Pretoria, has been instrumental in shaping the future of South African art. It is a platform that not only recognises excellence but also actively supports artistic growth, offering emerging artists the tools, exposure and confidence to take the next step in their creative careers."
This competition encourages artists to take risks and push boundaries, both in practice and conceptually. The final exhibition features the winning work, as well as the finalists' works at the Pretoria Art Museum, and is consistently one of our favourite annual art events.
Read our interview with 2025 Sasol New Signatures winner Juandré van Eck.
Who can enter the Sasol New Signatures art competition?
What we love about this competition is that it's not strictly limited to young artists, but favours the catch-all category of "emerging". All South African citizens or performant residents who are 18 years or older and who have not yet had a solo exhibition (except for academic purposes) qualify to enter. Artworks of any media may be entered.The 2025 Sasol New Signatures exhibition was a testament to this, with everything from paint and ink to ceramic vessels and mopane worms.
Note: If you are represented by an agent or established art gallery, you do not qualify. The same goes for full-time or permanently employed lecturers in any of the art or design disciplines.
Call to entries: How to submit your work
There are two submission days for 2026 entries, which must be submitted in person at one of eight collection points around South Africa.
The collection points are located in Bloemfontein (Oliewenhuis Art Museum), Cape Town (Art B Gallery), Durban (KZNSA Gallery), Johannesburg (Sasol Place), Polokwane (Polokwane Art Museum), Gqeberha (Bird Street Gallery – Nelson Mandela University), Potchefstroom (North-West University Potchefstroom Campus, Botanical Gardens), and Pretoria (Pretoria Art Museum).
Submit your work at one of these locations on Tue, Jun 9 and Wed, Jun 10, 2026 between 10:00 and 16:00. Fill out the entry form here.
Tips for entering the competition
To increase your chance of submitting a winning work, Sasol New Signatures offers educational tools and resources for prospective entrants. These cover everything, from how to prepare and present your works for submission, and some dos and don'ts outlining the reasons why many artworks do not make it past the regional judging rounds. In addition, Sasol New Signatures chairperson Pfunzo Sidogi and Sasol’s art curator Cate Terblanche will host informative online how-to tutorials with accompanying downloadable fact sheets to assist entrants in submitting their artworks.
Keep an eye out for these on the Sasol New Signatures website, YouTube channel and Instagram account.
When are the winners announced?
Final judging takes place on Tue, Aug 4, 2026.
The winning artist, the runners-up and a large selection of finalists' works will be showcased in the 2026 Sasol New Signatures exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum from Thu, Sep 10 – Sun, Nov 8, 2026. Here too, the 2025 Sasol New Signatures winner Juandré van Eck will hold a solo exhibition of work created over the past year.
Read more about the Sasol New Signatures art competition through the decades.
