The second Emerging Painting Invitational (EPI) will take place from 12 – 19 October 2020. It is organised by the Emerging African Art Galleries Association (EAAGA) and is the first of its kind, dedicated to supporting emerging contemporary painting and painters across the continent. This year, EPI features 17 finalists from 8 African countries. Due to travel restrictions the 2020 edition will be taking place as an online exhibition project supported by a programme of online talks, virtual studio visits and interactions. The EPI winners will be announced on the 19 October with prizes including cash, residencies and exhibitions. Three of the finalists will be awarded US$6000, with the top prize winner also receiving US$3000 sponsored by auction house Strauss & Co.

EAAGA Chair, Valerie Kabov says:

While contemporary African art has been on the rise internationally, developing skills and engaging the international art world is still a challenge for many young painters on the continent. EPI intends to help motivate, support and develop the practices and careers of young African visual artists. Supporting emerging painters is not just enormously significant culturally, it is to ensure the economic sustainability of local art sectors. EPI was developed with a holistic vision for art on the continent.

Portraits of finalists from top left: Agnes Waruguru N`joroge (Kenya), Dorra Mahjoubi (Tunisia), Elias Mung’ora (Kenya), Emna Kahouaji (Tunisia), Eyasu Telayneh (Ethiopia), George Masarira (Zimbabwe), Kirubel Abebe (Ethiopia), Kylie Wentzel (South Africa), Lincoln Mwangi (Kenya), Peteros Ndunde (Kenya), Sejiro Avoseh (Nigeria), Selome Muleta (Ethiopia), Thebe Phetogo (Botswana), Willy Karekezi (Rwanda), Yolanda Mazwana (South Africa), Tashinga Majiri (Zimbabwe) & Lwando Dlamini (South Africa).

The Jurors for EPI 2020 include female artists Dorothy Amenuke, sculptor and lecturer at the Department of Painting and Sculpture of the Faculty of Fine Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) (Kumasi, Ghana); Amel Bennys, a painter and sculptor, based in Tunis and Paris, Tunisia; and Florine Demosthene, a painter who is based between Accra, Haiti and New York.