If you’re an up and coming artist, you’ve almost definitely heard of South African art heavyweights like Penny Siopis,  Karel Nel, Dianne Victor and Colbert Mashile.

And you know what they all have in common?

They’re all past winners of the Absa L’Atelier art competition – winning this competition is what launched their careers.

If you’re between the age of 21 and 35, you have exactly 11 (YES, only 11) days to prepare and submit your entry to the competition that could realistically change the course of your life.

The winning artist wins a range of prizes, including cash, as well as a coveted opportunity to study at the Cité Internationale Des Arts in the heart of Paris, where they can develop their talent surrounded by leading artists from across the world. Two merit award winners will be chosen to win prizes of a residency at the Ampersand Foundation in New York and at the Sylt Foundation on the Island of Sylt in Germany respectively. There is a fourth prize, sponsored by the French Embassy and Alliance Francaise.

What’s it going to be, guys? Critical claim and success, or being ignored for the rest of your life?

You have to be in it to win it.

Begin your entry process, HERE.

Entries MUST be submitted between 4 and 8 March 2013.

Go go go!