L’Atelier country draw results
Absa and the South African National Association for the Visual Arts has hosted the 2022 Absa L’Atelier country draw of contenders.
The draw comprised three groups of four countries – making it a total of 12 participating countries.
This year saw a record-breaking number of registrations – 1 804 in total – with the top three artists vying for an opportunity to display their work in the Absa Art Gallery in Johannesburg.
As part of the honours, these top three participants will be referred to as the 2022 Absa L’Atelier ambassadors.
“A massive congratulations and thank you to everyone who entered the 2022 Absa L’Atelier,” says Absa in a statement.
“As Absa, we are excited and proud to witness the quality of work presented by various artists, proving the talent within the continent.
“With this year’s theme ‘From start to L’Atelier’, our goal is to enable inclusive growth and global recognition of artists in Africa.”
Dr Paul Bayliss, senior specialist Art Curator at Absa Group, added: “We have seen some interesting pairings from the country draw, now the real work begins as our adjudicators start the judging process. Best of luck to all the artists.”
The 2022 country draw results are as follows:
Group A – Nigeria, Zambia, Botswana and Uganda;
Group B – Tanzania, Namibia, Kenya and Ghana; and,
Group C – South Africa, Seychelles, Mozambique and Mauritius.
The adjudicators of the competition will select three Absa L’Atelier Ambassadors, who will each receive a laptop, data and exposure to intensive virtually hosted mentorship and master-classes geared towards upskilling and enabling them to take their careers to the next level.
In addition to the master-classes and mentoring, the winning artists will have a collaborative exhibition in the Absa Gallery in November 2023. This will then travel to their respective countries in 2024. They will also have an option to take up a solo exhibition within a five-year period within the Absa Gallery. The most deserving South African artist aged between 25 and 35 will be awarded to demonstrate integrity in their work.
The award is made possible by the Embassy of France in South Africa, the French Institute of South Africa, and the Alliance Française.
Adjudicators:
Shonisani Netshia (South Africa)
– painter and lecturer in visual arts, University of Joburg.
Shenaz Mahomed (South Africa) of the Javett Art Centre, University of Pretoria;
Sharlene Khan (South Africa), artist;
Diane Victor (South Africa) – artist;
Meriam Bousselmiis (Germany), Tunisian dramaturg;
Dr Stefan Eisenhofer (Germany) University of Munich;
Prof Julius Heinicke (Germany), University of Hildesheim;
Bénédicte Alliot (France), academic;
Alexia Walker (South Africa), historian and writer;
Armelle Dakouo (France), co-curator of Congo Biennale in Kinshasa;
Sophie Boulé (South Africa), deputy director French Institute of South Africa; and,
Basak Senova (Austria), curator, designer. – Citizen reporter