Hanneke Benadé
Hanneke Benadé has come a long way since she matriculated from the Pro Arte High School in Pretoria in 1989. Since then she has completed her BA (Fine Art) at the University of Pretoria (majoring in graphic printing and lithography) undertaken a stretch of lecturing and most impressively received a Sasol New Signatures Judges’ Award […]
Amita Makan
“I am an artist. I paint and embroider to express myself,” says Amita Makan, who was a runner up in the Sasol New Signatures competition in 2009. Port Elizabeth-born Makan has an MA degree in International Relations from Rhodes University and a Diploma in Gender Policy and Planning from UCL University College London. Her work has […]
Micaela Gabriela Balie (Bloemfontein)
Ghost in the machine Digital drawing and photography Edition 1 of 5 90 cm x 60 cm Artist’s Statement Ghost in the Machine is a deeply personal reflection on grief and depression, especially as they unfold away from the comfort of a safe, “home-like” space. This work weaves together fragments of memory and loss, beginning […]
Tammy Lee Baikie (Johannesburg) | 2025 Merit Award Winner
Book worms, 2025 Mixed media 25 cm x 33,5 cm x 46 cm Artist’s Statement Book worms uses sustainable, wild harvesting of mopane worms to explore knowledge systems and how one knowledge system can overshadow others. The book, etching and specimen collection are tokens of the dominant western scientific paradigm. But in small ways – […]
Hester Badenhorst (Pretoria)
Aloe Trees Mixed media 63,5 cm x 94 cm Artist’s Statement The musician Stef Bos wrote a song called “Is dit nu later?”, where an adult asks if this moment is really “Later.” That question really speaks to me, because for most of my life I’ve put off my dream of becoming an artist. I […]
Sundus Saad Altalib (Cape Town)
Mesopotamia Banana silk on hardwood 46 cm x 103 cm Artist’s Statement Mesopotamia draws its name from my paternal heritage — an ancient region known for its innovation, complexity, and cultural richness. This work reflects on this history, evoking the grandeur of a place that once thrived at the crossroads of empires and trade routes. […]
Yolanda de Kock | 2025 Regional Judge, Bloemfontein
Yolanda de Kock, Acting Project Manager, Art Bank of South How did you find the judging process?The judging process was well organized and smooth. It was an uplifting experience judging with Pfunzo and Cate. Any standout themes you picked up?A lot of artists were dealing with themes pertaining to loss, identity, personal experiences within their […]
Dr Leana van der Merwe | 2025 Regional Judge, Pretoria
Leana van der Merwe, Senior Lecturer, Unisa How did you find the judging process?I thoroughly enjoyed the day spent at the Pretoria Art Museum, looking at the works on display. The judging process was well organised and went smoothly. We were able to complete the process quicker than anticipated, mainly due to the good organisation […]
Tshegofatso Mabaso | 2025 Regional Judge, Polokwane
Tshegofatso Mabaso, Curator and Researcher Being invited as a regional judge for the Sasol New Signatures competition was an honour I hoped to do well by. What I appreciated most about the judging process was the intentional focus on noting helpful feedback for each entrant’s submission, as it isn’t often that we get feedback for […]
Arisha Maharaj | 2025 Regional Judge, Johannesburg
Arisha Maharaj – Senior Art Specialist, Strauss & Co How did you find the judging process?In all honesty, it was harder than I expected, there was a lot of talent and potential so it was difficult to be stern on the judging. There was also a lot of enjoyment in the process, seeing new ways in […]