Absa L’Atelier 2025 Winners Announced, Showcasing a Vibrant New Wave of African Art

The winners of the 2025 Absa L’Atelier competition were revealed on 11 October at the tranquil Nirox Sculpture Park. The event highlighted a new generation of African artists making bold statements through their work. Now in its 39th year, the Absa L’Atelier remains a pivotal platform. It celebrates emerging talent across the continent. It fosters creativity that reflects Africa’s complex narratives and vibrant future.

The theme for this year’s edition, “Celebrating Expression,” resonated deeply across the diverse submissions. These works explored subjects ranging from memory and mythology to sustainability. They also covered womanhood and identity. Twelve finalists from across Africa brought unique perspectives. Four standout artists were recognized. Three of them were named as Absa L’Atelier Ambassadors. One artist received the prestigious Gerard Sekoto Award.

South African sculptor and painter Ndlovukazi Ngilande took home the Gerard Sekoto Award. This award honours artists aged 25 to 35 who demonstrate artistic integrity and excellence. Ngilande’s work focuses on African women. It portrays them as resilient, spiritual, and dignified. Expressive colours and bold figurative forms are used to challenge traditional ideas of beauty and identity.

The three Absa L’Atelier Ambassadors also represent distinct creative voices. Yolo Mantiyane is from South Africa. She is known for her cow dung paintings that engage with Nguni traditions and gender discourse. Nana Sarpong Prempeh-Fordjour is from Ghana. His raw, introspective drawings and performances confront trauma and healing using the body as a medium. Trevor Aloka is from Uganda. He is a multidisciplinary artist whose installations delve into themes of time, memory, and community through innovative material use.

This year’s competition marked the 21st anniversary of the Gerard Sekoto Award. It is supported in partnership with the French Embassy and the French Institute. This partnership stresses the importance of sustained backing for emerging artists. Such support helps them to realize their creative potential on an international scale.

The prize packages for winners provide invaluable opportunities including international residencies, masterclasses, mentorships, and platforms to showcase their work globally. These supports are vital as young artists navigate their careers and push creative boundaries.

Absa L’Atelier remains one of Africa’s foremost art competitions. It nurtures voices that give shape to the continent’s contemporary art scene. It inspires communities through bold storytelling and artistic innovation. African art is increasingly visible and influential. Initiatives like this are crucial for cultivating the next generation of cultural trailblazers.