Donavan Mynhardt

It can be argued that art, at its core, is a deeply personal expression – raw, vulnerable, and often created in solitude. During an artist’s career, moments arise when sheltered creations step into the public eye; whether it be through exhibitions, art fairs, social media exposure or art competitions.  The act of entering the latter, while seemingly about recognition and reward, becomes far more significant when considering that it becomes an act of courage and determination, a statement of belief in one’s own voice and a commitment to personal growth.

Competitions offer artists more than exposure. They provide structure and challenge, encouraging individuals to push beyond comfort zones. Whether it’s refining a concept, working under deadlines, or aligning a piece with a particular theme, these moments demand discipline and resilience. Each submission is not only a finished work—it is evidence of persistence, countless revisions, and moments when doubt was pushed aside in service of creation.

Since the inception of the national Portrait Award competition in 2013, hundreds of South African artists have stepped out of their comfort zones throughout the years to present their unique interpretations of the genre. As countless portrait submissions come and go during each new iteration, the same names tend to pop up each time. And for those of us working on behind-the-scenes logistics, it is wonderful to see how some of the creatives grow with each submission period, or how artists push the envelope and create pieces that don’t always fall within the scope of their practice.

Will Durant (paraphrasing Aristotle) once said that “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit” – and said habit pays off in the long run. Plenty of participants, whether already prominent figures in the art industry, or individuals just starting to hone their talents, have seen growth when entering art competitions. 2023 Winner André Serfontein is one of the best examples of this when considering the positive trajectory shown by just entering the Portrait Award. André mentioned that for him, it wasn’t an easy road ahead, as he didn’t even make the finalist selection the first time he entered. He could’ve easily decided there and then that this competition was not for him, but as a determined professional, he entered again. Each year he entered, he saw an advancement in placement as his work was selected to be part of the Top 100, the Top 40, Top three, and in 2023 – the overall winning piece. Considering that André has already been a successful practicing artist prior to entering, his drive, sportsmanship and positive demeanor throughout the years can certainly be noted.

Something André said during an interview in preparation for his solo exhibition (part of the winning prize) ‘Betwixt’ is that he will miss taking part in the 2025 Portrait year (as the winner of the previous competition year cannot enter the following). This might seem like an insignificant statement to some, but in my opinion, boils down to the fact that participating in competitions also tend to foster a sense of belonging in the broader artistic community. It signals an artist’s readiness to engage, to be seen, and to stand alongside peers in mutual striving. This shared drive—whether recognized with awards or not—binds artists in a silent but powerful solidarity.