Interactive ceramics, resilience in paint, and new directions in South African art take centre stage at the Pretoria Art Museum.
Sasol New Signatures Overall Winner Juandré van Eck with his winning work Cycles of the mind. Courtesy of Sasol New Sigantures.
The 2025 Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition has named Juandré van Eck (25), an Honours student from Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, as this year’s overall winner. Van Eck’s ceramic installation Cycles of the mind captivated the judges with its interactivity, acoustic qualities, and meditative presence, earning him the grand prize of R100 000 and the opportunity to present a solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum in 2026.
A merit winner in 2024, Van Eck has described his latest work as an exploration of sound, breath, and emotion:
“The ceramic artwork emulates the rhythmic patterns of breath. Two whistles positioned on opposite sides ‘speak’, one a cry of liberation and joy, the other a low, gentle echo of contemplation and unseen turmoil. Water, the essence of life, gives life to this artwork, offering it a voice through its gentle flow from one state to the next.”
For Van Eck, the work is more than an object—it is an invitation to slow down:
“When people interact with my work, I hope it creates a calming environment that speaks to the inner child, allowing for a sense of play in a world that often feels overwhelming.”
Celebrating resilience
The runner-up prize of R25 000 went to Johannesburg-based artist Thabo Treasure Mofokeng (39) for his painting Still Standing. Inspired by the resilience of his neighbour, who lives with paralysis after a gunshot wound, the work honours a life defined not by disability but by determination and joy.
“This piece is a tribute to my neighbour’s inspiring spirit and a celebration of the human capacity for resilience, hope, and determination,” Mofokeng explained.
Emerging voices across South Africa
From 903 entries submitted at eight collection points nationwide, the judges selected 106 works for final consideration, resulting in a richly varied exhibition now on view at the Pretoria Art Museum. Alongside the overall winner and runner-up, five merit award winners were recognised, each receiving R10 000:
- Tammy Lee Baikie (48), Johannesburg – Book worms (Mixed media)
- Rebecca Louise (Beck) Glass (22), Pretoria – Sell – Fish (Etching)
- Snelihle Asanda Maphumulo (22), Gqeberha – Ngaphansi kwesithunzi sakhe (under His Shadow) (Sheep hide on canvas)
- Vian Mervyn Roos (35), Pretoria – 2916 (Cotton thread)
- Sarah Volker (23), Gqeberha – Taut, tethered and torn (Ballet tights, stones, cement blocks)
Shaping the present and future of South African art
For Chairperson Pfunzo Sidogi, the competition is more than a prize; it is a living platform that actively shapes the trajectory of contemporary South African art:
“These esteemed judges, whose roles range from artists and curators to academics, auctioneers, and gallerists, do not merely select or reject artworks for awards; their efforts as adjudicators are actively shaping the now and tomorrow of South African art practice.”
He noted that Van Eck’s interactive ceramic work exemplifies a broader trend:
“More and more emerging artists are creating artworks that demand to be experienced beyond purely visual and cognitive dimensions.”
35 years of partnership, 75 years of Sasol
The Sasol New Signatures competition has been a fixture of South Africa’s art calendar for 35 years, providing a vital platform for emerging artists to share their visions with a national audience. This year’s edition coincides with Sasol’s 75th anniversary, marking a celebration of innovation both in science and in the arts.
“As Sasol celebrates 75 years of pioneering innovation, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to creativity, progress, and the power of new ideas through our sponsorship of the Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition,” said Christian Herrmann, Sasol Executive Vice President: Marketing and Sales, Energy and Chemicals, Southern Africa.
Exhibition now open
The 2025 Sasol New Signatures exhibition, featuring the work of the winners and finalists, is now open at the Pretoria Art Museum and runs until 2 November 2025. Visitors can also explore the exhibition virtually and access the competition catalogue online.
For more details, visit www.sasolsignatures.co.za.
