BIC Art Master Calls on African Artists to Bring the African Culture to Life Through Art

BIC, has announced the kick-off of its flagship art competition. In its sixth edition, Art Master Africa calls on creatives across the region to depict their interpretation of Ubuntu (or One Africa), this year’s competition’s theme, using the iconic BIC ballpoint pen.

In a statement, it was noted that the submissions will be accepted effective the 19th of April 2024 through the BIC Art Master Africa website.

The statement said participants will have three months to complete their artwork before judging takes place, followed by the winner announcements in the last quarter of the year, adding that entries would be judged based on creativity, originality, and technical skills.
The statement remarked that first, second, and third place winners will be rewarded by BIC – $2,000, $1,000, and $500 respectively, noting that a total of nine winners from across the region will also be announced and awarded.

The statement averred that the artwork of selected participants would be included in various art platforms owned by BIC, including the most recently launched Art Master Africa Metaverse Gallery.

Commenting on the occasion, Art Master Africa custodian, and Marketing Director for Middle East and Africa at BIC, Gregory Alibaux, said: “We are pleased to kick-off the highly anticipated competition, Art Master Africa. We continue to provide a platform for artists and creatives in the region to help them express themselves – all in line with our commitment to encourage self-expression and creativity. This year is special for the competition as it also marks the year where we elevated the program by launching an Art Master Africa metaverse gallery, crossing borders and bringing African talent to the world.”

Continuing, the statement added: “Art Master Africa was incepted in 2017 in South Africa. After becoming highly anticipated within the art community, the competition expanded into the wider Middle East and Africa regions. Every year, a theme is introduced by BIC, that creatives are asked to depict using the BIC ballpoint pen. This year’s theme, Ubuntu, invites artists to express what unity and interconnectedness within Africa means to them. To date, Art Master Africa has engaged with over 6,000 creatives from across the region.”