Portrait Awards South Africa 2021

Inspired by the long-standing, UK-based annual international portrait competition, the BP Portrait Award, Rust-en-Vrede Gallery in Durbanville, Cape Town launched the Portrait Award in 2013 – with generous sponsorship from Sanlam Private Wealth.

The competition is similar to its UK counterpart, but at a reduced scale, with an initial first prize of R100 000 for the best portrait. In 2021 the prize money will be increased to R 150 000. A second prize of R 30 000 and a third prize of R 20 000 will be initiated in 2021. This biennial competition is open to all resident South African artists, 18 years and older, and aims to increase public awareness and appreciation for the art of portraiture, as well as give South African artists an opportunity for further exposure.

With an overwhelming 1 783 entries by 1 205 artists in its first year, the competition has grown by leaps…