African Art Galleries Association (AAGA) has announced the third edition of the Emerging Painting Invitational (EPI), the pan-African prize dedicated to supporting emerging contemporary painters and painting. The 16 finalists hail from 8 African countries, comprising of Rwanda, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Algeria, Sudan, Kenya, Angola and South Africa.
Emerging Painting Invitational Prize (EPI) is an international art platform developed by the African Art Galleries Association (AAGA) to support and recognise excellence of emerging painters living and working on the continent and to create new opportunities for engagement with art and art centres in Africa for local and international collectors, art professionals and general audiences.
Each year a Nominating Committee made up by members of AAGA, guest regional experts and previous year's EPI finalists selects 15-20 of the most promising painters under 30 from across Africa. The finalists are invited to present 3 works for an exhibition and Juried prize as well as an opportunity to attend the launch of the finalist exhibition, engage with fellow artists and international art professionals in a host African city. The first edition of EPI took place in Harare (Zimbabwe) in 2019. Due to the global lockdowns and covid-19 travel restrictions, the second and third editions of EPI continued through an online programme of panel discussions, masterclasses and studio visits as well as an online auction in partnership with Strauss & Co.
The winners will be selected by expert artist Jurors: Nicky Marais (Namibia), Jonathan Freemantle (South Africa) and Lavar Munroe (Bahamas/USA).
The 16 finalists are from 8 African countries, comprising of Rwanda, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Algeria, Sudan, Kenya, Angola and South Africa.
All artists and artworks will be showcased on AAGA, EPI and Strauss & Co platforms simultaneously from February 9th 2022 and works will be available for sale via a Strauss & Co dedicated auction on February 14 to 21, 2022 https://www.straussart.co.za/
An online programme of highly anticipated studio visits and panel discussions in collaboration with Strauss & Co will run from February 10 -15 and culminate in a Strauss & Co hosted VIP evening to announce the three cash prize winners, live in Cape Town, on February 16, 2022
The finalists include Abubakr Moaz (Sudan), Benigno Tengo (Angola), Boemo Diale (South Africa), Christain King Dusabe (Rwanda), Iirumva Isaac (Rwanda), Joyce Jazz (Angola), Khotso Motsoeneng (South Africa), Malebona Maphutse (South Africa), Mouna Bennamani (Algeria), Muriithi Samuel (Kenya), Natnael Ashebir (Ethiopia), Paul Wallington (South Africa), Ravelle Pillay (South Africa), Safa Attyaoui (Tunisia), Sana Chamekh (Tunisia), and Solomon Kifle (Ethiopia).
Check out exciting works of contemporary African art on the ArtDependence art store on Artsy. Click the Artsy banner to see the array of works on view.
ArtDependence Magazine is an international magazine covering all spheres of contemporary art, as well as modern and classical art.
ArtDependence features the latest art news, highlighting interviews with today’s most influential artists, galleries, curators, collectors, fair directors and individuals at the axis of the arts.
The magazine also covers series of articles and reviews on critical art events, new publications and other foremost happenings in the art world.
If you would like to submit events or editorial content to ArtDependence Magazine, please feel free to reach the magazine via the contact page.