L'Atelier's 2015 theme announced

This year's L'Atelier theme has been announced as: Art Needs You. That's what it takes to produce great art - you. The core idea behind the campaign is that producing great art is not something that just happens; it's a process that sees artists putting everything they have into their work, putting pieces of themselves into their work, through the intense effort, dedication and raw emotion that it takes to bring a concept to life.

For the first time in its 30-year history, L'Atelier will be expanded to include emerging visual artists from Africa. Historically, the contemporary art competition was held in South Africa and only local artists were eligible to enter. From 2015, artists aged 21 to 35 in South Africa as well as Botswana, Zambia, Ghana and Kenya are invited to take part.

Countrywide exhibitions

The competition has become a fixture on the calendars of emerging artists who rely on the exposure their work receives from the countrywide exhibitions and the exhibition catalogue, both of which play an important part in furthering their budding careers.

Once all the regional judging has taken place, 100 works from the pool of entries will be selected as finalists. The overall winner will be announced at a gala exhibition in Joburg on 16 July.

The Absa L'Atelier awards function takes place on the evening of Wednesday, 15 July at Absa Gallery, Upper Ground Level, Absa Towers North, 161 Main Street.

lateliercompetition.com