Entries are now open for the third Sanlam Portrait Award which celebrates and showcases the best original portrait artwork in South Africa. Sponsored by Sanlam Private Wealth, in partnership with Durbanville’s Rust-en-Vrede Art Gallery, the award offers a significant monetary prize of R100 000 as well as a viewers’ choice prize. The closing date for entries is 13 July 2017.
The competition is open to artists 18 years and older who are residents of South Africa. Work entered should be based on a sitting, or study from life, and the human figure must predominate. No sculptures, photographs and works created using software or other digital means will be eligible. All works will be judged anonymously by a panel of three independent judges. They will identify the winning portrait and select 39 other entries to tour South Africa as part of an exclusive exhibition. The panel will be convened by Stefan Hundt, head of the Sanlam Private Wealth art advisory service and curator of the Sanlam Art Collection.
The Sanlam Portrait Award continues to attract hundreds of exceptional entries each year. In 2015, Cape Town artist John Pace walked off with the top prize for his portrait entitled After the Match (100 x 80cm, oil on canvas).
For more information on the competition, entry forms and competition rules, please go to www.sanlamportraitaward.co.za or www.rust-en-vrede.com.
Imka Webb is a freelance digital marketing expert and the digital editor of Food & Home Entertaining magazine. www.imkawebb.com
