Leading manufacturer of stationery, lighters and shavers, BIC, has announced the launch of the fifth edition of its flagship art competition, the Art Master Africa.

The competition is inviting participants from across Africa and the Middle East regions to express their creativity by producing artwork using the iconic BIC Cristal Ballpoint pen.

This year’s theme is Celebrating Africa and the competition asks artists to create artwork representing their personal identity and unique perceptions of Africa and its varied cultures.

The annual Art Master Africa was launched in 2017 in South Africa and following its success the competition was expanded across Africa in 2019 and into the Middle East in 2021.


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Interested artists can enter the competition by submitting up to three original artworks of what Celebrating Africa means to them at www.bicartmaster.com.

A panel of judges comprising of artists, art professors, art collectors, and winners from the 2019 and 2021 competitions (Gayi Eric and Oscar Ukonu) will review and shortlist submissions in the phase that will run until August 31, 2022.


Bic will announce the winners and celebrate them in September.

“Art Master Africa speaks to our Company’s belief in the importance and power of creativity. This competition continues to positively impact talent across the region by encouraging self-expression. We look forward to seeing how our theme is interpreted and encourage creatives of all ages to pick up a pen and set their imaginations free,” said Peter Van den Broeck, BIC Senior Vice President and General Manager for Middle East and Africa.


First, second, and third place competition winners are set to be named Africa’s Art Masters, and will receive cash prizes of USD2,000, USD1,000, and USD500 respectively.

The regional winner will also get an online personal gallery and a chance to join the BIC Art Collection exhibition in Paris, France while the national winners will take home USD500 each.


BIC’s Art Collection includes more than 250 works of art by 80 international artists, and has partnered with art institutes with its products displayed in renowned museums worldwide.