The 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art Competition, celebrating its 40th anniversary, announced its winners at the Absa L’Atelier Art & Lifestyle Fair on October 10, 2026. The competition awarded three Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Awards to Reginald Boateng from Ghana, Emmanuel Chisenga from Zambia, and Segun Owolabi from Nigeria, marking a milestone as Zambia’s first recipient since the competition’s group structure began in 2019. Each ambassador will host a solo exhibition, supported by R100,000 for material costs and receive mentorship opportunities. Treasure Mlima from South Africa won the Absa L’Atelier Art Gerard Sekoto Award, recognized for artistic excellence. This award includes a three-month residency in Paris and similar support for a solo exhibition.
Dr. Paul Bayliss, Absa Group Senior Specialist in Art and Museum Curator, praised the depth and talent reflected in the submissions, noting the works’ emotional storytelling and technical skill. The competition, backed by the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), has facilitated the development of emerging artists across Africa since its inception in 1986, providing them international exposure and collaboration opportunities.
Additionally, Jean Spiri from the French Embassy highlighted the importance of artistic freedom and international artistic exchange represented by the Gerard Sekoto Award. SANAVA’s National Secretary, Ané du Plessis, reiterated the awards’ role in fostering young artists’ creative journeys and enhancing the visual arts landscape in Africa. As the 2026 competition concludes, artists are encouraged to prepare for the next round, with entries for 2027 opening in March 2027 and closing at the end of April 2027.
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