The 2008 Absa l’Atelier prize was awarded to James Webb of Bellville for his work ’Auto Hagiography’. It is a black chaise longue with speakers fitted underneath that play recordings of the artist speaking under hypnosis.
This award includes a sojourn in Paris to study at the Cité Internationale des Arts for 6 months, as well as R110 000 pocket money, accommodation and free access to galleries and museums in Paris.
The Gerard Sekoto award for the most promising artist was won by Retha Ferguson of Pretoria. This award - sponsored by the French Embassy, the French Institute and the Alliance Francaise - will give her the chance to spend 3 months at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. This prize has a total value of R80 000 which includes pocket money, accommodation and free access to galleries and museums.
Cecile Loedolff, Absa art curator, said: “This year’s works are immensely labour-intensive, meticulous and definitely time-consuming. The repetitive, almost compulsive nature of so many of the pieces interested the judges. The use of colour was more noticeable this year, belying the sombre nature of the overall themes. Even in the works that on the surface appear bright and joyous, a closer inspection will reveal the symbols of danger and betrayal".
The 2007 winners of the Absa l’Atelier and Gerard Sekoto awards were respectively Pierre Fouché and Nina Barnett - read more.
The 2006 winners of the Absa l’Atelier and Gerard Sekoto awards were respectively Ruth Sacks and Nomusa Makhubu.
