Unearthing and developing local artistic talent earned Sasol the Long Term Partnership Award at the 15th Annual Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) Awards evening, held on 27 August 2012. The company has sponsored the Sasol New Signatures art competition for the last 23 years, the oldest annual art competition in South Africa.

The criterion for winning this award is to significantly develop and expand its commitment to an arts project for three years or longer.

“We are honoured to receive this prestigious accolade. It is through the talent and commitment of all the artists who have entered over the years that we’re able to elevate South African art,” said Nolitha Fakude, Executive Director, Sasol.

“This competition provides entry into the dynamic world of visual arts and develops emerging artists so that they can exhibit their work and flourish as recognised artists,” she remarked.

The art competition, presented in collaboration with the Association of Arts Pretoria, is open to artists who are 18 years and older with no cut-off age and artists who have not held solo exhibitions except for academic purposes. Through this competition, many artists have entered the South African arts landscape and established their names in the industry.

“We are very proud of our long-standing relationship with the Association of Arts Pretoria and thank them for their partnership with us in developing and promoting South African art,” added Fakude.

Held at the Wits Arts Museum in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, the BASA awards recognised excellence and innovation in the field of business support of art in South Africa.

“We are delighted at the depth and scope of this year’s nominations which demonstrate how the arts continue to offer great opportunities to strategically align brands,” said Michelle Constant, CEO, BASA.

The judges for the 2012 BASA Awards were CEO of The Loerie Awards, Dr Andrew Human (chairman); media consultant and editor of Destiny Man, Kojo Baffoe; Sunday Independent arts critic, Mary Corrigall; independent arts consultant, Nicky du Plessis; CEO of the Mastrantonio Group, Giovanni Mariano; co-founder and co-owner of multi-disciplinary design firm INK, Lisebo Mokhesi and Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town and Artistic Director of Siwela Sonke, Jay Pather.

The Sasol New Signatures 2012 winner will be announced on 29 August at the Pretoria Art Museum. The competition exhibition is open to the public from 30 August to 30 September. Also exhibiting during this period, is Peter Mohau Modisakeng, the 2011 Sasol New Signatures winner, as part of his solo exhibition, won last year.

Ends

Finalists with Peter Binsbergen (Chairperson of Sasol New Signatures)