The finalists were selected from hundreds of entries spanning Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, the Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
The competition is open to artists aged between 21 and 40, with entrants submitting portfolios of four to five recently produced artworks. This year's shortlist spans painting, photography, sculpture and mixed-media practices, with artists exploring themes including identity, culture, heritage and contemporary African life.
The 12 shortlisted artists are:
Three artists will ultimately be selected as the 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassadors. Each ambassador will receive a laptop, masterclasses, a four-month mentorship programme and a two-month international residency, as well as a solo exhibition in their home country with up to R100,000 available towards exhibition material costs.
South African artists aged between 25 and 35 are also eligible for the Gerard Sekoto Award, which includes a residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, masterclasses and a solo exhibition in South Africa, with up to R100,000 available towards exhibition materials.
The 2026 winners will be announced on 10 October at the Absa L’Atelier Art and Lifestyle Fair at Waterfall City Park in Midrand, Gauteng.
Now in its 40th year, the competition was established in 1986 and has supported more than 70 artists from across Africa, facilitated more than 50 international residencies and funded close to 65 solo exhibitions across the continent.
