Nominations open for prestigious new R130,000 art award.

Sasol, the world's largest producer of wax, has announced the launch of the Sasol Wax Art Award 2006. The award, which comprises a top prize of R130,000, is aimed at established artists. It seeks to reward innovation and excellence.

While there are many competitions for young and emerging artists, there are few competitions that recognise professional career artists, says Sasol CE Pat Davies. "Sasol's support of the visual arts turned 21 last year. It is fitting, therefore, that we decided to reinvent the Sasol Wax Art Competition, now restructured as the Sasol Wax Art Award, for established artists."

Says Deodatus Schrenk, chairman of the management board of Sasol Wax: "We believe that the Sasol Wax Art Award is an exciting and innovative manner in which to profile one of Sasol's many products - wax - while rewarding creative excellence at the same time."

The applications of wax range from candles and crayons to food coatings, cosmetics and household cleaners. However, it is the relationship of wax to visual arts that has captured the imagination of many people for many centuries. Wax is the core product in traditional forms of "encaustic painting", etching and casting. Recently, artists' applications of wax have been more diverse and innovative.

Finalists in the Sasol Wax Art Award will be selected following a comprehensive nomination and judging process that will focus on the artists' career profiles and activity within the visual arts sector. The finalists will then be asked to propose and ultimately produce a body of work using wax as a component, either through process, medium or concept.

The highlight of the Sasol Wax Art Award will be the finalists' exhibition and the announcement of the winner at a gala event to be held towards the end of next year. Nominations open in December 2005.

Nominations are open until February 20.

Further information and nomination requirements are available from the Award organisers, Carola Ross and Associates at 011 726 2502 or on e-mail to hotmango@mweb.co.za