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Sixteen African artists picked for Emerging Painting Invitational Prize

7 Feb 2022

By CityLife Arts Writer

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.

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 winners will be selected by expert artist Jurors: Nicky Marais (Namibia), Jonathan Freemantle (South Africa) and Lavar Munroe (Bahamas/USA).

About Emerging Painting Invitational:

EPI was established by AAGA in 2019, and champions young African painters by motivating, supporting and developing skills, collaboration and collector engagement to ensure the sustainability and vibrancy of art practices and art sectors on the continent.

To be eligible for EPI, artists must be under 30 years old, living and working on the continent and have painting as their primary discipline.

A nominating committee made up of members of AAGA, guest experts, and a previous year’s finalists propose new talent working in the medium of painting, which is then reduced top 15-20 finalists, who are then invited to present three works for exhibition and a Juried prize.

EPI 2022 Finalists:

Christian King Dusabe (Rwanda), Sana Chamekh (Tunisia), Malebona Maphutse (South Africa), Natnael Ashebir (Ethiopia), Paul Wallington (South Africa), Mouna Bennamani (Algeria), Khotso Motsoeneng (South Africa), Abubakar Moaz (Sudan), Muriithi Samuel (Kenya), Boemo Diale (South Africa), Solmon Kifle (Ethiopia), Joyce Jazz (Angola), Safa Attyaoui (Tunisia), Ravelle Pillay (South Africa), Benigno Tengo (Angola), Isaac Iirumva (Rwanda).

The finalists paintings, in-depth profiles and event programme will be on view on the EPI website www.emergingpaintinginvitational.com.

About African Art Galleries Association (AAGA): 


Formed in 2016, AAGA has been supporting the growth and sustainability of contemporary art sectors in Africa through collaboration between galleries invested in the sector and the idea of strength through collaboration. AAGA projects include artist exhibition and residency exchanges, skill and knowledge sharing initiatives, online art fair project African Galleries Now in partnership with Artsy, as well as EPI. www.africanartgalleriesassociation.co 

About Strauss & Co:

Strauss & Co is Africa’s leading auction house and the global leader for South African art. It was founded in 2009 and in 2021 the company’s turnover totalled over R300 million – a sum unrivaled by any auction house dealing in South African art in a single year. Strauss & Co annually holds live and online auctions in Cape Town and in Johannesburg. Strauss & Co was awarded the prestigious Chairman’s Premier Award at the 2018 annual BASA Awards for its sustained and extraordinary commitment to the arts in South Africa. www.strausssart.co.za