If you thought the only masterpiece coming out of Mzansi was how we manage to survive load shedding with a smile, think again. The prestigious Absa L’Atelier Art Competition recently celebrated its massive 40th anniversary, proving that African visual art is in a league of its own.
The winners were officially announced at the Absa L’Atelier Art & Lifestyle Fair held at Waterfall City Park, where art lovers gathered to witness history—and probably sneak a few canapés.
The Big Winners Making Mzansi and Africa Proud
Celebrating four decades of opening doors for young talent across 12 African markets, this year’s competition drew a record number of registrations. But four extraordinary artists stood head and shoulders above the rest:
- Reginald Boateng (Ghana) – Ambassador Award Winner (Group A)
- Emmanuel Chisenga (Zambia) – Ambassador Award Winner (Group B) (Fun fact: This marks Zambia's very first time bagging this specific award!)
- Segun Owolabi (Nigeria) – Ambassador Award Winner (Group C)
- Treasure Mlima (South Africa) – Gerard Sekoto Award Winner
Dr Paul Bayliss, Absa Group Senior Specialist in Art and Museum Curator, praised the incredible depth and technical skill displayed by this year’s class.
Bagging the Ultimate Prizes
These artists aren't just walking away with bragging rights and a shiny trophy. The Ambassador Award winners scored masterclasses from global authorities, a brand-new laptop with Windows and MS Office, a four-month local mentorship, and R100,000 funded by Absa toward hosting their very own solo exhibitions.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s own Treasure Mlima from Durban is packing his bags for Paris! He secured a glamorous three-month residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in France from April to June 2027, alongside R100,000 for a solo exhibition, courtesy of the French Embassy and IFAS partnership. Oui, chef!