Two Bloemfontein visual artists’ creative works scooped top prizes in this year’s Sasol New Signatures Art Competition. Omolemo Rammile and Linde Kriel were among the top seven prize recipients announced on Wednesday (24/08) in Pretoria.
The winners were chosen from the more than 1000 entries. The Bloemfontein pair was chosen for their creative painting that reflect reality and resonates with time.
Rammile received the runner-up prize of R25 000 for her work titled Mére célibataire (single mom) while Kriel received R10 000 as one of the five merit awards. This was for his copperplate etching [REST]ROOM.
Rammile’s work pays tribute to her mother and acknowledges the personal sacrifices she makes daily as a sole provider and breadwinner for her twin daughters.
Universally, bread is considered a staple food source. Judges discovered that the artist used embossed bread tags to symbolise the ‘daily bread’ her mother buys to feed her family.
The intended sentiment of the multiple bread tag imprints on the paper are akin to the lasting impact and inner markings that the mother’s love has left on the artist and her family.
Rammile has a diploma in Fine Arts, obtained at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State and is currently pursuing an Advanced Diploma in Fine Art.
“Fist time entering and first win, I never entered a competition. Because I was doubting my work. I feel amazed, it is still a shock to me. It’s like a dream,” said Rammile.
“I had visualised the masterpiece about my mother, I personalised everything about it. My mother inspired me in how she raised me, its a tribute to my mother,” said Rammile.
Kriel’s piece of work was found to be equally creative, reflecting the passion and commitment required to the art-making process. Kriel is a second-year BA Fine Arts student at the University of the Free State.
“This is my first prize and first time entering a competition. It feels great to win a prize. I have always done well at school,” he said.
Kriel completed matric at the Stellenberg High School in the Western Cape.
Durban-based visual artist Mondli Mbhele scooped the overall cash prize of R100 000. He won the coveted title for his work titled Iphasi nesiphesheli, which is part of a bigger series titled Umlando uyaziphinda.
This is an isiZulu phrase, meaning “history repeats itself”.
In addition to winning the prize money, Mbhele has been given the opportunity to have a solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum in 2023. The competition was established by the Association of Arts Pretoria in the late 1960’s.
“For emerging artists, the challenge remains the same: breaking into a very competitive, ever-evolving field. Sasol is honoured to play a role in providing opportunities for emerging artists to showcase their work,” said Elton Fortuin, Sasol vice president for group communications.
“This year we had an unprecedented number of entries, which reinforces the need for a platform such as this. It also highlights the depth of talent and creativity across South African society,”
