Absa Announced 2026 L'Atelier Art Winners
The prestigious competition celebrated its 40th anniversary by naming the latest recipients of its top artistic honors.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Fine Art
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Absa has officially announced the winners for the 2026 edition of the L'Atelier Art competition. The event marked the 40th anniversary of the contest, which evaluates entries from 12 African markets.
Why it matters
The awards aim to support the next generation of visual artists by offering professional mentorship, international exposure, and financial resources for creative development.
The Absa L'Atelier Art competition has run for 40 years, with the Gerard Sekoto Award now in its 18th year. Each top award provides winners with R100,000 for exhibition material costs.
The players
Emmanuel Chisenga
He is the first Zambian artist to receive the Absa L'Atelier Art Ambassador Award.
Treasure Mlima
The winner of the 2026 Absa L'Atelier Art Gerard Sekoto Award will travel to Paris for a residency.
Absa
This multinational banking group serves as a primary organizer and sponsor of the long-running art competition.
SANAVA
The South African National Association of the Visual Arts helps facilitate and oversee the evaluation process for the competition.
The details
Emmanuel Chisenga made history as the first Zambian recipient of the Absa L'Atelier Art Ambassador Award, while Treasure Mlima secured the 2026 Gerard Sekoto Award. Winners were selected by independent panels of adjudicators appointed by Absa, SANAVA, IFAS, and the Embassy of France.
Timeline
The competition was established in 1986.
The competition introduced its current group structure in 2019.
The 40th anniversary winners were announced in 2026.
Treasure Mlima will complete a residency in Paris from April to June 2027.
Industry Dynamics
The Absa L'Atelier Art competition remains a cornerstone for visual arts in Africa, reflecting a broader trend of corporate investment in professional development for emerging creators. This long-standing commitment underscores the shift toward institutional support as a primary catalyst for international recognition in the fine art sector.
For art enthusiasts and industry followers, these awards signal new artists to watch in the international gallery circuit. The residency outcome specifically provides a path for the public to follow Mlima's professional growth and upcoming work in the global arts community.
The takeaway
The competition highlights how corporate-sponsored residency programs remain a critical bridge for artists seeking international market access. Aspiring artists should look toward established, long-running contests as primary avenues for securing both the funding and professional validation needed for career advancement.
What happens next
Treasure Mlima is scheduled to undertake a three-month artist residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris from April to June 2027.
Further reading
Find more details on regional creative programs in our Fine Art section.
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