BIC, a world leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, has announced the kick-off of its flagship art competition, Art Master Africa, in its fifth edition.
The competition invites talent across Africa and the Middle East to express their creativity by producing artwork using the infamous BIC ballpoint pen. This year’s competition theme is ‘Celebrating Africa’, inviting artists to present their identity as well as their different perceptions of the African continent and cultures.
Art Master Africa is an annual competition that is open to artists and creatives across the Middle East and Africa region. The competition was incepted in 2017 in South Africa. Following its success, Art Master Africa expanded into the Africa region in 2019 and into the Middle East in 2021.
Artists can enter the competition by submitting up to three original artworks of what ‘Celebrating Africa’ means to them. Submissions will then be reviewed and shortlisted by a panel of judges including artists, art professors, art collectors, as well as winners from the 2019 and 2021 competitions – Gayi Eric and Oscar Ukonu.
The submission phase started on June 15 and until August 31, 2022.
Once the judging phase is completed in September, winners will be announced and celebrated by October 15, 2022.
Commenting on the occasion, Peter Van den Broeck, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Middle East and Africa at BIC, said: “We are ecstatic to announce the kick-off of the fifth edition of the Art Master Africa competition. Our flagship competition speaks to our belief in the importance and power of creativity and self-expression. Through Art Master Africa we have touched and impacted many across the region, and we plan to continue to motivate and encourage the younger generation and creative community to express themselves innovatively, as we build on and elevate our campaign year-on-year.”