SNS24 Catalogue Digital Spreads - Book - Page 8
MESSAGE
Sasol Vice President
Group Communication and Brand Management
ELTON
FORTUIN
6
"Over the years, the
Sasol New Signatures
Art Competition
has become a rich
tapestry of our
collective history,
stories, and voices."
The Sasol New Signatures Art Competition has once
again set new records, affirming its crucial role in
South Africa’s visual arts landscape. This year, we
received an unprecedented 1 013 submissions across
our regional centers, with 137 outstanding pieces
making it to the final exhibition. The competition also
extended its reach with the addition of a regional
submission point in Potchefstroom, increasing the
locations where artists can submit their work to eight.
Artists from across the country shared their stories
with us, articulating and capturing the concerns and
experiences of a diverse nation. Over the years, the
Sasol New Signatures Art Competition has become
SASOL NEW SIGNATURES • 2024 CATALOGUE
a rich tapestry of our collective history, stories, and
voices. Once again, this exhibition presents a wide
spectrum of narratives provoking a myriad of thoughts
and reactions. Yet, all these works originate from a
shared creative spirit that reflects our identity as a
nation and as individuals. We are grateful to all the
artists who entrusted us with their stories and support
the competition with unyielding enthusiasm.
Particularly poignant is the solo exhibition by last
year’s winner, Nosiviwe Matikinca. Her 2023 winning
work cast a spotlight on the critical issue of education,
highlighting the dire conditions faced by many South
African learners. Each pair of shoes in her awardwinning piece represents the lived experiences of
several young learners, urging us to confront the
challenges of poverty and to foster a new generation
of creative and innovative young leaders.
Sasol is privileged to be part of an initiative that
amplifies the voices of our emerging artists, offering
them a platform to share their stories with a wider
audience, while inspiring us on our journey to remain
a force for social good and continue innovating for a
better world. We congratulate all the winners of the
2024 Sasol New Signatures Art Competition, as those
whose works were selected for this exhibition. We wish
them a future filled with success and artistic fulfilment.
Our deepest appreciation goes to the Association of
Arts Pretoria for their unwavering dedication and hard
work, as well as to our partners – the City of Tshwane,
the Pretoria Art Museum and Stuttaford Van Lines
– for their steadfast and loyal support. Together, we
continue to champion the vibrant artistic talent that
defines our nation.
