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 the various, grants, residencies or competitions we apply for, and engagement and feedback is integral to the growth of all of our creative practices. I would absolutely encourage future entrants, even when not selected, to utilise the feedback sessions for their growth and benefit, having seen how much we, as judges, pour into giving each person valuable feedback on their work during those sessions.
I was truly amazed by the hard work Amos and the team at Polokwane Art Museum put into supporting entrants to collate their applications and encourage weary artists to take a chance and enter.
While there was a broad range of media represented in the submissions, which was so refreshing, it was wonderful to also see the presence of carving traditions long celebrated in the region present in this year’s submissions.
The competition remains an integral component of the arts ecosystem, creating a significant contact point for display, engagement and interaction with works, especially in contexts with limited public venues and events for visual art.
