Established in 1986, Absa L’Atelier Art continues to shine a light on Africa’s rich artistic creativity. The Pan-African competition, a partnership between Absa and SANAVA, has provided a powerful platform for emerging artists with opportunities for their professional development through mentorships and masterclasses, increased their visibility, and career advancement through awards, once-in-a-lifetime residencies, and coveted solo exhibition shows that empower artists to explore personal narratives and contemporary issues. Absa L’Atelier Art continues to nurture artistic excellence, elevate African voices, and contribute to the growth of the continent’s cultural economy.
Opening doors to a new adventure, the brand expanded with art-focused events connecting audiences to African urban cultures. Celebrating 40 years of brand excellence, the Forty Doors Absa L’Atelier Art Legacy event took place on 12 September 2026 at Nine Yards Johannesburg. The showcase featured works highlighting African heritage, diverse traditions, and indigenous art, illustrating the platform’s enduring impact on the continent’s artist community.
The Art & Lifestyle Fair returns
Having evolved into a culture-setting platform, the Absa L’Atelier Art and Lifestyle Fair returns on 10 October 2026 at Waterfall City Park in Midrand. The annual outdoor family event blends contemporary Pan-African visual art with interactive craft activities, food stalls, dedicated family spaces, and live music performances by prominent local musicians.
The competition’s top continental finalists showcase their work at the fair, culminating in the announcement of the Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador and the prestigious Absa L’Atelier Art Gerald Sekoto award winners. Recipients earn the opportunity to host a solo exhibition within two years, supported by up to R100,000 for material costs, with the majority of proceeds going directly to the artist, alongside mentorship and international residencies abroad.
Reflecting on four decades of impact, Dr. Paul Bayliss, PhD, Senior Art and Museum Curator at Absa Group, shares:
“Absa L’Atelier Art’s aim is to continue putting African art on the global map by transforming emerging artists into professional earning artists, paying tribute to African culture by telling stories that provoke an invitation to ask questions and learn more about Africa and its history and society. This brand wants to create an ecosystem that sustains art and fosters a progressive lifestyle, and the events that centre art. The Absa L’Atelier Art events for this year are a step in the right direction for the brand.”
A continental calendar of exhibitions
The 2026 exhibition calendar kicked off with 2024 award winner Lusanda Ndita’s Indlela ibomvu in June, presented in partnership with Gallery MOMO, IFAS, and the French Embassy in South Africa. This was followed on 18 July 2026 at Gallery MOMO by 2024 Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Kutlwano Monyai’s Dakalo – The Ultimate Gift, an exploration of gratitude during times of loss.
On 5 August 2026, Cape Town’s AVA Gallery hosted Terrains of Memory by 2021 winner Dr. Ayobola Kekere-Ekun (Lagos, Nigeria). Utilizing folded fabric, the exhibit probed how life events alter memory, healing trauma, gender dynamics, and social power.
The showcase moves to West Africa featuring 2024 Ambassador winners:
Moses Oyeleye (Nigeria): The Lagos-based visual artist uses ballpoint pen and acrylic to explore emotional resilience and human experience, exhibiting in September 2026 at Alliance Française in Lagos.
Ezra Appiah (Ghana): The Kumasi-based mixed-media artist presents social commentary on mental health and modern Ghanaian life in November 2026 at The Mix Design Hub in Accra.
Empowering the ecosystem
Complementing the exhibitions, Absa L’Atelier Art is hosting informative masterclasses across African cities. Designed for creators, buyers, and investors, these strategic sessions cover the business of art, brand building, career management, and the influence of social media on the continent’s evolving art market.
Looking ahead to 2027, Absa L’Atelier Art remains committed to shaping life-changing careers for African artists through targeted empowerment, support, and global exposure.
