The Emerging Painting Invitational crowns its third winner — a South African
Painters from across Africa have been recognised by The Emerging Painting Invitational
Image: Supplied
Ravele Pillay, the SA artist, painter and archivist, is 2022’s winner of Africa’s largest invite-only event dedicated to painting, The Emerging Painting Invitational (EPI). The third iteration of the award was announced on February 16 and hosted by auction house Strauss & Co.
The grand prize went to Pillay, second prize to Natnael Ashebir of Ethiopia and Third Prize to Malebona Maphutse from SA. EPI is an international art platform to support and recognise the excellence of emerging African painters.
“Supporting the EPI prize is an important part of our ongoing commitment to young artists on the continent,” said Susie Goodman, Executive Director of Strauss & Co. “We were particularly encouraged this year to see outstanding work by artists from eight different African countries — Algeria, Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, SA, Sudan, and Tunisia — with really strong woman artists making their voices heard.”
Work by Abubakar Moaz (Sudan) received an encouragement award while honourable mentions went to Solomon Kifle (Ethiopia), Boeme Diale (SA) and Christian King Dusabe (Rwanda). Their work will be exhibited by Graham Contemporary in a group show in Johannesburg.
The jurors were an all-artist line-up including Jonathan Freemantle, Lavar Munroe and Nicky Marais, who selected winners based on mastery, promise and originality. The intensity of their artistic voice, diversity in technique and subject matter and understanding of the language of painting were essential judging criteria.
Three works by prize winners and finalists are available for sale on Strauss & Co’s EPI February online-only auction, which closes on February 21.
To register for the auction and browse the lots, click here.
For more information on the Emerging Painting Invitational Prize, click here.