Winners from Ghana, Zambia, Nigeria and South Africa were announced at the 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art & Lifestyle Fair in Waterfall City

Four emerging artists have been named the winners of the 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art Competition, in a milestone year for one of Africa’s most established platforms for young visual artists.

Three artists received the Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Awards, while one South African artist took the Absa L’Atelier Art Gerard Sekoto Award. The winners were announced on Saturday, 10 October 2026, at the Absa L’Atelier Art & Lifestyle Fair at Waterfall City Park, as the competition celebrates its 40th anniversary.

The 2026 winners

Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Award

Absa L’Atelier Art Gerard Sekoto Award

The year also brought a first for Zambia. Chisenga’s win is the country’s first Ambassador Award since the competition introduced its group structure in 2019.

A record year

Presented in partnership with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), Absa L’Atelier Art has given young artists across the continent a platform to develop their practices, gain international exposure and reach new audiences since its establishment in 1986.

The 2026 edition attracted a record number of registrations and hundreds of eligible entries from artists across the 12 Absa African markets. An independent panel of adjudicators appointed by Absa and SANAVA assessed the works, while the Gerard Sekoto Award adjudicators are appointed separately by IFAS and the Embassy of France in South Africa.

Dr Paul Bayliss, Absa Group Senior Specialist in Art and Museum Curator, said the submissions showed “an extraordinary depth of perspective.” He noted that the entries demonstrated unique storytelling and emotional depth, and that the winning works combined artistic mastery with remarkable technical skill. The four winners, he said, pushed their creative boundaries and sparked meaningful conversation among the adjudicators, standing out as representatives of the vibrant future of art in Africa.

What the winners receive

Each Ambassador Award winner will host a solo exhibition, with Absa contributing R100,000 towards material costs. They will also receive art masterclasses from leading global authorities in the field, a new laptop (or equivalent) with Windows and an MS Office package installed, and a four-month mentorship with a leading visual arts authority from their own country.

Paris residency for Gerard Sekoto winner

Treasure Mlima, who hails from Durban, will undertake a three-month residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris from April to June 2027. He will also host a solo exhibition, supported by R100,000 from Absa towards material costs.

Established 18 years ago, the Gerard Sekoto Award recognises a South African artist who has demonstrated integrity and excellence in the quality of their work. It is made possible through a partnership between the Embassy of France in South Africa and IFAS, the embassy’s cultural arm.

Jean Spiri, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi and Director of IFAS, said Gerard Sekoto’s legacy is a reminder of the importance of artistic freedom and exchange across borders. Through the award, he said, emerging South African artists can develop their practice and forge international connections.

Partners celebrate the milestone

SANAVA, the competition’s longest-standing partner, continues to play an important role in its development of the visual arts across Africa. National Secretary Ané du Plessis said the awards create meaningful opportunities for emerging artists, recognise artistic excellence and encourage young creatives to pursue their journeys, while opening doors to new opportunities and international exposure.

The announcement formed part of the Absa L’Atelier Art & Lifestyle Fair, which brought together art, culture, lifestyle and live entertainment in honour of the 40th anniversary.

Entries for 2027 open in March

With the 2026 competition concluded, artists across the continent are encouraged to begin preparing for the next round. Entries for the 2027 Absa L’Atelier Art Competition open in March 2027 and close at the end of April 2027.

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