About

The Absa L’Atelier is a Pan-African art competition. It provides the winning artists with the relevant skillset to develop and thrive in a forever-changing art world.

The Absa L’Atelier is hosted annually by Absa in partnership with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA). Next year, 2025, will mark the 39th edition of the competition.

Every year emerging visual artists from across the African countries in which Absa has a presence are invited to showcase their talents through the Absa L’Atelier. The competition also offers a platform for them to explore themes and contemporary issues while sharing their stories. One need only look at past winners, called Ambassadors, to see how winning the Absa L’Atelier has helped to launch artists’ careers and ultimately to grow their craft on a global stage.

Artists aged between 21 and 40 who are citizens, permanent residents and residing in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, the Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia are eligible to enter the competition.

If you consider yourself a dynamic and passionate artist who’s ready to bring their artistic possibilities to life, then the Absa L’Atelier is the platform for you.

Where to find out more Email the Absa L’Atelier team at gallery@absa.co.za or visit www.sanava.co.za

Entries

· Each artist is permitted one entry.

· An entry submission needs to be a portfolio of artworks consisting of a minimum of four and a maximum of five different pieces.

· Adjudication is done on the portfolio of work entered.

· All entries must be submitted via the Absa L’Atelier online competition portal.

· The portal will open for uploading entries on Tuesday, 1 April 2025.

· Entries will close on Saturday, 31 May 2025, at 16:00 (Central African Time).

· No late submissions will be accepted.

· Submissions are adjudicated via the online portal.

· When registering online and uploading artwork, it’s essential to complete all fields. Failure to do so will result in the disqualification of an entry.

· Any artist aged between 21 and 40 years may enter the competition.

· All previous entrants will be required to reregister on the portal.

Partners and sponsors

Primary partners

· Absa Group Limited

· South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA)

Gerard Sekoto Award sponsors

· The French Embassy in South Africa

· Institute Français d’Afrique du Sud (IFAS)