The regional judging phase of the 2025 Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition has concluded, marking a pivotal milestone in South Africa’s most prestigious art competition for emerging artists. This year saw a total of 903 entries submitted from across the country, with 105 works selected to advance to the final round of judging in August at the Pretoria Art Museum.
The chosen artworks will be featured in the official 2025 Sasol New Signatures catalogue and will be exhibited at the Pretoria Art Museum from 4 September to 2 November 2025, offering the public a glimpse into the future of South African contemporary art.
Over a four-week period, Sasol New Signatures Chairperson Pfunzo Sidogi, Sasol Art Curator Cate Terblanche, and Nandi Hilliard of the Association of Arts Pretoria visited eight regional collection points, joined at each by respected local art experts. “The regional judging is a critical component of this competition,” said Sidogi. “It allows us to engage with diverse creative voices across the country and uncover unique perspectives that may not always be visible in more centralised spaces.”
2025 regional judges included:
· Johannesburg: Arisha Maharaj, Senior Art Specialist, Strauss & Co.
· Pretoria: Dr Leana van der Merwe, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Art & Music, Unisa
· Durban: Dr Mduduzi Xakaza, Director, Durban Art Gallery
· Cape Town: Dr Greer Valley, Senior Curator, Zeitz Museum
· Bloemfontein: Yolanda de Kock, Acting Project Manager, Art Bank of South Africa
· Gqeberha: Isabel Mertz, Senior Lecturer, Nelson Mandela University
· Polokwane: Tshegofatso Mabaso, Curator & Researcher
· Potchefstroom: Dr Annemi Conradie-Chetty, Senior Lecturer, North-West University
Across the country, judges noted a range of powerful themes and diverse mediums, from intimate personal narratives to broader social and environmental concerns.
Johannesburg judge Arisha Maharaj commented on the depth of talent encountered: “The judging was tougher than I expected, there was so much promise. I was particularly struck by how many artists drew from personal experiences and family histories. It was moving and very honest. It was also great to see the continued use of traditional media like oil painting, drawing, and ceramics, standing proudly alongside more contemporary forms.”
Polokwane judge Tshegofatso Mabaso highlighted the importance of engagement and support in the regional process: “One of the most valuable aspects was the commitment to providing feedback to artists. This kind of interaction is rare in competitions. I was also impressed by the dedication of the Polokwane Art Museum team in encouraging artists to take a chance and enter. We saw a wide range of media, and the continuation of regional carving traditions added a powerful layer of cultural depth.”
In Bloemfontein, Yolanda de Kock was impressed by the technical ambition shown by many artists, particularly in multi-media and installation works: “Themes like identity, loss, and lived experience were strong and deeply emotional. My advice to entrants is to focus on the final execution of their work and ensure their artist statements are concise and relevant, those elements can really elevate a submission.”
From Pretoria, Leana van der Merwe observed a clear engagement with societal issues such as poverty, conservation, trauma, and mental health: “Many artworks showed how art can serve as a tool for healing and reflection. Mixed media was prevalent, but I was pleased to see an embrace of labour-intensive traditional techniques like printmaking and painting. For those who didn’t progress, I encourage them to use this as a learning experience. Refine your ideas, talk to other artists, visit exhibitions, and keep growing.”
To empower participants, especially those without formal training, the 2025 competition offered online Info Sessions on how to prepare and submit work, write artist statements, and present artworks professionally. These sessions were widely appreciated, particularly by self-taught artists and newcomers, and were noted by the judges as having improved the overall quality of submissions.
Moving and packing partner Stuttafords Van Lines was on hand at the regions to pack and transport all selected works to the Pretoria Art Museum for final judging. The winners will be announced on 3 September 2025.
“Sasol New Signatures is more than a competition,” said Cate Terblanche. “It is a vital platform that opens doors for emerging voices and helps them navigate the often daunting world of professional art practice.”