Four artists. Four award-winning journeys. One milestone celebrating the power of African creativity.
The 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art Competition has announced its winners, recognising emerging visual artists from Ghana, Zambia, Nigeria and South Africa. The announcement took place at the Absa L’Atelier Art & Lifestyle Fair at Waterfall City Park on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
This year’s awards carry added significance as Absa L’Atelier Art marks its 40th anniversary. Since 1986, the competition has helped emerging artists develop their practices, reach new audiences and gain international exposure.
The 2026 winners are Reginald Boateng from Ghana, Emmanuel Chisenga from Zambia and Segun Owolabi from Nigeria, who received the Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Awards. South African artist Treasure Mlima received the Absa L’Atelier Art Gerard Sekoto Award.
Together, the four artists represent the creative talent shaping the future of visual art across the continent.
Meet the 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art winners
The three Ambassador Awards recognise artists across the competition’s three groups.
- Group A – Reginald Boateng, Ghana
- Group B – Emmanuel Chisenga, Zambia
- Group C – Segun Owolabi, Nigeria
The Gerard Sekoto Award went to Treasure Mlima from Durban, South Africa.
One result stands out in this year’s competition. Zambia received its first-ever Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Award since the competition introduced its group structure in 2019.
The milestone adds another chapter to the competition’s four-decade history of creating opportunities for emerging artists.
Four decades of opening doors for African artists
Established in 1986, Absa L’Atelier Art is one of Africa’s leading Pan-African platforms for emerging visual artists. It operates in partnership with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA).
The 2026 competition attracted a record number of registrations and hundreds of eligible entries from artists across Absa’s 12 African markets.
An independent panel appointed by Absa and SANAVA assessed the submissions. For the Gerard Sekoto Award, the Embassy of France in South Africa and the Institut français d’Afrique du Sud (IFAS) appoint adjudicators separately.
The competition continues to create opportunities for artists to develop their work, connect with audiences and build relationships beyond their home countries.
For the four winners, the awards also bring practical support to help advance their artistic journeys.
What the Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Award winners receive
The three Ambassador Award winners will each have the opportunity to host a solo exhibition. Absa will contribute R100,000 towards exhibition material costs for each winner.
The award package also includes art masterclasses led by leading global authorities specialising in the arts. Each winner will receive a new laptop, or equivalent, with Windows and Microsoft Office installed.
In addition, the artists will have the opportunity to take part in a four-month mentorship with a leading visual arts authority from their respective countries.
These opportunities are designed to support the winners as they develop their practices, strengthen their skills and share their work with wider audiences.
For Emmanuel Chisenga, the award also marks a significant moment for Zambia, which has secured its first Ambassador Award since the current group structure began in 2019.
Treasure Mlima wins the Gerard Sekoto Award
South African artist Treasure Mlima, from Durban, has received the 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art Gerard Sekoto Award.
Established 18 years ago, the award recognises a South African artist who has demonstrated integrity and excellence in the quality of their work.
As part of the award, Mlima will undertake a three-month residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, France, from April to June 2027. The residency will provide an opportunity to further develop their artistic practice and engage with the international art community.
Mlima will also have the opportunity to host a solo exhibition, supported by an Absa contribution of R100,000 towards material costs.
The Gerard Sekoto Award is made possible through a partnership between the Embassy of France in South Africa and IFAS, the cultural arm of the Embassy.
Jean Spiri, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi and Director of IFAS, highlighted the importance of artistic freedom and international exchange.
“Gerard Sekoto’s legacy reminds us of the importance of artistic freedom and exchange across borders. Through this award, emerging South African artists can develop their practice and forge international connections. We congratulate the 2026 recipient and remain committed to supporting artistic exchange between France and South Africa.”
The residency gives Mlima an opportunity to work in an international artistic environment while building connections beyond South Africa.
Art that sparks conversations and crosses borders
Dr Paul Bayliss, Absa Group Senior Specialist in Art and Museum Curator, said this year’s submissions demonstrated exceptional talent, storytelling and technical ability.
“This year’s submissions brought an extraordinary depth of perspective, and the calibre of talent in this year’s competition was exceptional. The submissions demonstrated unique storytelling and emotional depth, while the winning artworks showcased both artistic mastery and remarkable technical skill. These four artists pushed their creative boundaries and sparked meaningful conversations amongst the adjudicators. They stood out as true representations of the vibrant future of art in Africa. As Absa L’Atelier Art celebrates 40 years of opening doors for emerging artists, we are proud to recognise these artists as our 2026 award winners and to give them a platform to share their brilliant work with the world.”
His comments reflect the competition’s focus on artistic excellence and the importance of giving emerging creatives a platform to share their work.
SANAVA also reaffirmed its commitment to developing visual arts across the continent. As the competition’s longest-standing partner, the organisation continues to support its role in recognising talent and creating opportunities for artists.
Ané du Plessis, National Secretary of SANAVA, said: “SANAVA is proud to be the longest-standing partner of the Absa L’Atelier Art Awards, a platform that continues to create meaningful opportunities for emerging artists across the continent. The Awards play an important role in recognising artistic excellence, encouraging young artists to pursue their creative journeys, and opening doors to new opportunities and international exposure. We are delighted to celebrate this year’s talented artists and to be part of an initiative that contributes so significantly to the growth and development of the visual arts in Africa.”
The partnership continues to connect the competition’s long-standing history with its mission to support the next generation of visual artists.
The celebration continues at the Absa L’Atelier Art & Lifestyle Fair
The winners were announced as part of the 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art & Lifestyle Fair, held at Waterfall City Park. The event brought together art, culture, lifestyle and live entertainment to celebrate the competition’s 40th anniversary.
The occasion recognised not only the four winning artists, but also the wider creative community that has helped make Absa L’Atelier Art a platform for emerging talent across Africa.
Four decades after its establishment, the competition continues to open doors for artists seeking to develop their work, reach new audiences and explore international opportunities.
Entries for the 2027 competition open in March
With the 2026 competition concluded, aspiring artists across the continent can begin preparing for the next edition.
Entries for the 2027 Absa L’Atelier Art Competition will open in March 2027 and close at the end of April 2027.
For emerging visual artists, the next competition offers another opportunity to put their work forward and take part in a platform dedicated to recognising and developing artistic talent across Africa.
As Absa L’Atelier Art celebrates 40 years, the 2026 winners stand as the latest artists to benefit from a legacy built around creativity, opportunity and artistic exchange.
