By Nangamso Mabindla
25 March 2008

ART by the Eastern Cape's finest is on show at the East London Ann Bryant Art Gallery for the 23rd annual Absa L'atelier competition, which opened on Thursday, 20 March.

Works by the province's most exciting and promising young artists is on show. The Absa L'atelier competition, which started in 1985, is open to artists between the ages of 21 and 35. The winners are given an opportunity to gain international exposure.

Gallery curator Leon du Preez said the exhibition's opening was very successful, with East Londoners coming in numbers to support local talent. "We have 25 works from the province's young and talented artists; five of these have been selected from the region to compete with the country's best talents in Johannesburg later this year."

The overall winner of the countrywide Absa L'atelier competition receives R110 000, as well as a return air ticket to Paris, France. The prize money must be used for a study trip of at least three months, but not more than six months, at Paris's world-renowned art colony, the Cité Internationale des Arts.

Artists who will be representing Eastern Cape in the national finals are Kate Arthur, who has two works selected, Beth Armstrong and Frances Cluver.

The exhibition closes on Saturday, 29 March. For more information about the Absa L'atelier regional competition and other up-coming exhibitions, contact the gallery on 043 722 4044.