Emerging artist Juandré van Eck (25), an Honours student from Nelson Mandela University, has been crowned the overall winner of the prestigious 2025 Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition. His interactive ceramic work, Cycles of the Mind, captured the judges’ imagination with its blend of sensory depth, emotional resonance, and technical mastery.
Van Eck, who was a merit award winner in 2024, now takes home a R100 000 cash prize and, perhaps more importantly, the coveted opportunity to stage his first solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum in 2026.
Cycles of the Mind: Art in Motion and Emotion
At the heart of Van Eck’s winning entry is an exploration of rhythm, breath, and human resilience. The ceramic piece is animated by water, the essence of life, which flows gently to create sound and motion. Two whistles embedded in the sculpture represent contrasting emotional states: one a triumphant cry of liberation, the other a meditative echo of unseen turmoil.
“The ceramic artwork emulates the rhythmic patterns of breath,” Van Eck explains. “I want people who engage with my work to feel calm, to reconnect with their inner child, and to play — even if just for a moment. In today’s overwhelming world, art should remind us to be present.”
His vision extends beyond galleries. He imagines his creations being used in meditation classes, nature therapy, and other mindful practices, where they can promote grounding, reflection, and peace.
Runner-Up and Merit Awards
The runner-up prize went to Thabo Treasure Mofokeng (39) of Johannesburg for Still Standing, a moving tribute to his neighbour, who despite being paralyzed by a gunshot, radiates hope and strength. Mofokeng receives R25 000.
Five Merit Award winners, each receiving R10 000, were also announced:
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Tammy Lee Baikie (48) – Book worms, 2025 (Mixed media)
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Rebecca Louise (Beck) Glass (22) – Sell – Fish (Etching)
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Snelihle Asanda Maphumulo (22) – Ngaphansi kwesithunzi sakhe (Under His Shadow) (Sheep hide on canvas)
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Vian Mervyn Roos (35) – 2916 (Cotton thread)
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Sarah Volker (23) – Taut, tethered and torn (Ballet tights, stones, and cement blocks)
A Record-Breaking Year for South African Art
This year’s competition drew 903 entries across eight regional collection points. From these, 106 works were selected for final judging and inclusion in the 2025 exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum.
Pfunzo Sidogi, Chairperson of Sasol New Signatures, emphasised the importance of this process:
“Our judges are not just selectors — they are shapers of South African art. This year’s winning piece, in particular, demands interaction. It invites audiences to touch, to listen, and to feel. This is the future of art: multi-sensory, immersive, and deeply human.”
Sasol’s Legacy of Creativity
The Sasol New Signatures competition has been a launchpad for emerging artists for 35 years, consistently providing visibility, support, and validation for new voices in South African art.
As Sasol celebrates 75 years of innovation in 2025, the competition carries additional symbolic weight. Christian Herrmann, Sasol Executive Vice President: Marketing and Sales, Energy and Chemicals, Southern Africa, noted:
“This milestone celebrates both our heritage in science and technology and our commitment to creativity. We’re proud to support artists who dare to see the world differently and remind us of the power of imagination to shape society.”
Exhibition Details
The 2025 Sasol New Signatures exhibition, featuring winning and finalist works, will run at the Pretoria Art Museum from 4 September to 2 November 2025.
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📍 Corner of Francis Baard and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Pretoria
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🕙 Museum Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 – 17:00 (Closed Mondays & public holidays)
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🌐 Virtual Exhibition: Available via the Sasol New Signatures website
All finalists’ works will also be published in the official 2025 competition catalogue, accessible online.
A Platform That Shapes the Future
The Sasol New Signatures continues to affirm its role as South Africa’s most important platform for emerging artists. From innovative ceramics and immersive installations to thought-provoking paintings, the competition proves that the next generation of artists are not only responding to the world around them — they are redefining how we experience it.
As Van Eck’s Cycles of the Mind reminds us, even in times of chaos, art can create moments of stillness, play, and healing.
