By Nangamso Mabindla
11 March 2005

THERE will be a whiff of France in East London when the 20th Absa L'atelier Art Competition opens at the Ann Bryant Art Gallery on Tuesday, March 16 2005.

As part of the competition, South Africa's most exciting young art talent will be exhibiting their work at the gallery. The competition, which started in 1985, is open to artists aged 21 to 35, who get an opportunity to exhibit their work. That is not all, though. The winner is flown to Paris, where he or she stays for three months in the Cité Internationale des Arts, studying and attending nationwide exhibitions.

Leon du Preez, the curator at the East London gallery, says the competition is very good for artists in Buffalo City. "These youngsters get a chance to show the rest of the country what they are all about. It is a great opportunity for them not only to expose their art, but also to get a chance to go overseas to hone their skills.

"Not many people get the opportunity to visit one of Europe's art loving countries to view the continent's art. This competition also gives our artists an opportunity to improve," du Preez adds.

This year underprivileged artists are also able to participate in a separate category. The new category comes after complaints from disadvantaged artists that they did not stand a chance against their more privileged counterparts. "It is still under the Absa competition but it is sponsored by the French Embassy."

The exhibition ends on 27 March.