Meet the judges: Cate Terblanche

Cate Terblanche joined Sasol in 2017 during last year’s competition in the capacity of Sasol Art Curator.  This year she sits on the judging panel which means she will be intricately involved in deciding who will walk off with the honours in this year's competition. To set the stage we engaged with Cate and got her perspective on art in general and specifically Sasol New Signatures.

How important is Sasol New Signatures in terms of developing and identifying local talent?

I think Sasol New Signatures plays a vital role in identifying local talent. So many significant South African artists note the competition on their CVs, proving its relevance. However, the competition is only a starting point. What happens to the artist’s career afterwards is highly dependent on the passion with which the person grabs hold of the opportunities that come their way as a result of this exposure.

As a Sasol insider - talk us through this year’s theme of “Limitless”?

Art has always been about challenging ideas and breaking free from boundaries and conventions.  However the theme is not just confined to the concept of the artwork itself, it extends to opportunities that are available to artists today. Never before have we seen such a plethora of opportunities for artists, and it’s up to the artist to exploit all these opportunities.

Sasol New Signatures has been running for nearly 50 years and means that judging criteria are well developed. Tell us about these?

Over the years, the competition has become incredibly refined. After each competition a meeting is held where every aspect is evaluated and re-defined for the next year. On the one hand, the competition is informed by a long history, but it is also an ever evolving process. Judges are selected from across the country, all highly skilled in their respective fields. Judging of works involves much debate around each work, and for the final decision the judges need to be in agreement.

“The visual arts play a very powerful role in society in terms of starting conversations within communities” - unpack this statement for us.

I am a great supporter of the social role art plays in society. Art allows us to talk about difficult issues which under other circumstances may not be possible. Artists also act as a social conscience of sorts, they often call us to question our own attitudes towards specific issues. Not all art is easy to engage with, some of it is really difficult and challenging.  But if we keep our minds open when viewing art, we not only enrich our own lives, but also learn much about acceptance and tolerance of ideas that may be foreign to our own.

Have you been involved in the capacity of judge in a major competition previously?

My background is really in academia where judging or critiquing of art is a core activity.  In a way teaching art involves this activity on a daily basis.  I started my job as Sasol Art Curator halfway through last year’s competition, so this is my first year as judge in my official capacity.

As a judge, what are you most looking forward to?

My favourite aspect of the competition is not the competition itself, but what happens to the artists when they are given a platform. I love seeing artists getting a look-in and chasing their dreams. I want to see young artists blossoming into successful professionals. I am looking forward to meeting as many of the artists as possible and hearing about their personal journeys with art.

Do you pay attention to international art competitions - if so which ones?

I do monitor international art trends, especially the international biennales which showcase work by the top artists from various countries. I think South African artists are absolutely on par with international artists, and in many cases the work produced by South African artists is far more exciting and relevant to contemporary society. The Turner Prize for me is always an indicator of what the art world is dealing with, and although often controversial, the works are normally very thought provoking and forward thinking.

What would you say to artists wanting to enter the competition?

Firstly, I think artists should believe in themselves and the relevance of the works they create. An artist is not defined by the competitions or awards they win, rather they are a sum of the works they produce over time, as well as their achievements. Art should be a reflection of the artist’s own thinking and experimentation. Be true to your artistic beliefs and do not try to produce a work specifically for the competition or for the judges.  Create work that you believe in.

You are the curator for one of South Africa’s largest corporate collections. As such - tell us about your five favourite pieces in the Sasol Collection and why? 

I get asked this question quite often, and I can honestly say that my favourite piece is the piece that I am engaging with at the time.  For me, each artwork is like a child, each one with its own personal history and individual personality. As a parent I cannot have favourites as they are all my children!  I also love discovering the artworks over and over again, they are like conversations with old friends. Good art speaks to you every time you engage with it. 

If you could wave a magic wand and own any piece of South African Art in your PERSONAL capacity - what would you choose and why?

I would love to own a piece by last year’s runner up Sthenjwa Luthuli. I am fascinated by the meticulous craftsmanship of his work. If money was no problem, a piece by George Pemba or Noria Mabasa would definitely be on my wish list.

Photo credit

Photograpy: Tarryn Hatchett
Styling: Sitha Kentane
Make-up: Caroline Greef and Luther Galloway
Shot on location at the Johannesburg Art Gallery