Sasol New Signatures Winner Juandré van Eck to Debut Interactive Solo Exhibition in Pretoria
Sasol New Signatures Winner Juandré van Eck to Debut Interactive Solo Exhibition in Pretoria. Emerging South African artist Juandré van Eck will present his first major solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum in September 2026, marking the next chapter in his artistic journey after winning the 2025 Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition.
Titled Die Vallei van Adem, the exhibition will open alongside the 2026 Sasol New Signatures exhibition on 10 September and will run until 8 November 2026. The solo exhibition forms part of the opportunity awarded to the overall winner of the long-running competition, which continues to provide emerging artists with a platform to develop and showcase their work.
Van Eck’s latest exhibition builds on the ideas explored in his winning artwork, Cycles of the Mind, which incorporated themes of breath, water and sound through ceramic forms.
“Winning Sasol New Signatures has given me the opportunity to push my practice further and realise my ideas on a much larger scale,” Van Eck said.
The exhibition invites visitors to engage directly with the artworks rather than simply observe them. At its centre is a collection of ceramic sound vessels constructed from two connected chambers. When the sculptures are gently moved, air passes through water inside the vessels, producing sound.
Each vessel creates a distinct tone, with smaller forms producing higher sounds and larger pieces generating deeper notes. As visitors interact with multiple sculptures throughout the exhibition, the individual sounds combine into an evolving soundscape.
“Every interaction gives the sculptures breath and voice, making each visitor part of the artwork itself,” Van Eck said.
Sasol art curator and Sasol New Signatures judge Cate Terblanche said Van Eck’s progression reflects the opportunities created through the competition.
“Juandré’s work demonstrates a remarkable understanding of material, concept and audience engagement,” she said.
Van Eck’s rise through the competition has included receiving a Merit Award in 2024 before securing the overall title in 2025.
Now in its 64th year, Sasol New Signatures remains South Africa’s longest-running platform for emerging visual artists, offering exposure, recognition and opportunities for professional development.
Alongside Van Eck’s solo exhibition, the 2026 Sasol New Signatures exhibition will feature 123 selected artworks from this year’s competition.
Together, the two exhibitions will bring established competition success together with new artistic voices, offering visitors an opportunity to experience both Van Eck’s evolving practice and the latest work from emerging South African visual artists at the Pretoria Art Museum.
