ANNA and Latitudes, two female-centric South African brands, have come together once again to discover, recognise and nurture a new generation of women artists. In its second year, the ANNA Award has extended participation beyond South African borders to include entries from the broader African continent.
Lucy MacGarry, co-founder of Latitudes, the fastest-growing online platform dedicated to art from Africa, explains that the ANNA Award celebrates women artists that show extraordinary originality, imagination and dedication in their creative careers.
After receiving 703 applications, from 28 countries across Africa, 12 finalists have been selected.
The Top twelve finalists are Nada Baraka (Egypt), Bulumko Mbete (South Africa), Buqaqawuli Nobakada (South Africa), Azuka Muoh (Nigeria), Charity Vilakazi (South Africa), Alexandra-Naledi Holtman (South Africa), Nindya Bucktowar (Mauritius), Sethembile Msezane (South Africa), Lebogang Mabusela (South Africa), Amanda Mushate (Zimbabwe), Mikhailia Petersen (South Africa) and Cazlynne Peffer (South Africa).
The submissions of the 12 finalists will now be reviewed by the ANNA selection committee:
Samallie Kiyingi – Lawyer, Art Collector and Founding member of the Tate’s African Acquisitions Committee, Australian-Ugandan
Jana Terblanche – Art Curator and Development Strategist, South Africa
Freda Isingoma – Founder of KIISA Art, African and Diaspora Art Ecosystem and Investment Specialist, and Art collector, UK-based
Bridget Masinga – Producer, TV actor and Radio Host, South Africa
Nina Carew, head of the ANNA Award at Latitudes, notes that ANNA and Latitudes continue to work hard to shine a light on women-identifying talent from Africa, while fostering an ethos of inclusivity and connection.
“This year’s ANNA Award Top 12 offers fresh voices that have already begun to make their mark on the continent and beyond. While the cohort offers a range of interdisciplinary practices, mediums and conceptual frameworks engaged with the arts landscape on the continent at present, there is a subtle thread that weaves through and connects them all.”
Nina Carew
The winner will receive a R100 000 cash prize from ANNA, a profile on Latitudes Online and a year’s supply of ANNA products. What’s more, the twelve finalists will be presented to the Latitudes audience, who will vote for an Audience Award winner.
The winner will be announced on Women’s Day, 9 August 2023.
