You’ve heard of the term, “suffering for your art,” right? There’s a reason why the object of that sentence is art, and not “TPS reports”. TPS reports are hard, because they’re boring. Great art is special because it actually takes something away from the artist; blood, sweat, and tears – sometimes quite literally. That’s why Absa made acrylic paint out of real blood, sweat, and tears for this year’s L’Atelier art competition.

That’s right. Bambo Sibaya, Willem Boshoff, and Diane Victor parted with parts of their own bodies to make that paint, and they’re hoping the stunt will inspire you – the young artist – to give it your all when you enter the Absa L’Atelier art competition, giving you the chance to win R150 000 from Absa, a return air ricket to Paris, and fully paid for tuition and accommodation at the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris.

Interested?

Young artists, aged between 21 and 35 may enter, and also art students (meeting the requirements) who are in their final year of study.

Entries close on 7 March 2014

You MUST enter via absalatelier.co.za. There is no other way.

There is a maximum of three (3) pieces per entrant. The pieces must be original and completed in the 24 months prior to closing date.

There are four prizes. They are as follows.

Main prize: R150 000 from Absa, a return air ricket to Paris and at least three months (no more than six) study and accommodation at the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris

The Gerard Sekoto Award prize: (most promising artist with an annual income less than R60,000) A return air ticket to Paris and three month residency at Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris, sponsored by Alliance Francaise and French Embassy

Two Merit Award prizes: two month stint at the Sylt Foundation on the Island of Syly in Germany and one month stay at the Ampersand Foundation in New York.

Enter, NOW!