OR thousands of artists across Africa whose creativity is their livelihood, art gives life. Now, the continent’s flagship visual arts competition for emerging artists, Absa L’Atelier, is asking these artists to “Give art life” as it calls for entries into this year’s contest. This inspiring theme of the 2018 competition reflects the idea that the prestigious Absa L’Atelier gives African contemporary art, and the talent behind it, a platform to thrive. This has been augmented even further this year with the competition being opened up to two more African countries, namely Nigeria and Namibia. This brings to 12 the number of countries participating in the competition. The other countries include South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mauritius, Seychelles and Mozambique, and all professional and self-taught emerging artists aged 21 to 35 years from these countries, are invited to enter. The Absa L’Atelier art competition enters its 33rd year in 2018, marking another fruitful year of collaboration between primary sponsors Absa and the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA). Together, these partners aim to help further winners’ careers by providing them with unparalleled industry opportunities. For the main and Gerard Sekoto award winners, this includes a six-