Pongracz Bold Print of the Year by Sir Abner

pongrácz home
bold moments
bold print of the year

Pongrácz Bold Print of the Year 2020

The Populist

Created in collaboration with talented South African designer Sir Abner, the 2020 Bold Print of the Year campaign saw Sir Abner creating 3 unique bold prints, with the public and a panel of experts voting for their favourite.

Pongracz Bold Print of the Year - Populist

The winning print, entitled Populist, was inspired in part by Desiderius Pongrácz, who revolutionised South African viticulture by challenging and changing the status quo through his visionary ideas. The print was further inspired by mail art, also known as postal art and correspondence art which is a populist artistic movement centred around sending small scale works through the postal service, Sir Abner created a code through design – EOIC 3ULD – which when folded upwards translates to BOLD, reflecting the pioneering spirit of Desiderius Pongrácz.

Sir Abner transformed the military camouflage print which symbolises comradery and bravery, into black and white, and infused the design with the truly South African Shangaan Bag. The plastic-woven bags have become synonymous with migrants coming to Johannesburg filled with zeal, hope, courage and optimism.

In keeping with Sir Abner’s extraordinary ability to weave ideas, design, fashion and culture into a single vision, the 2020 Bold Print of the Year makes an original statement.

Sir Abner Makgamatha

Sir Abner is a graphic artist living and working in Johannesburg. A prominent creator in the fields of design and textiles, he has partnered with some of South Africa’s top designers throughout his career.

It’s his bold and out-of-the-box thinking that epitomises what we, at Pongrácz, are about. His unmistakable style and unique design aesthetic push the boundaries of design and textiles – making him a pioneering force in his field.

Sir Abner lives as boldly as he designs. Take a peek.

Winning Print: The Populist

Populist, the winning Bold Print of the Year, takes inspiration from the pioneering spirit of Desiderius Pongrácz. Embedded in the print is a secret code – EOIC 3ULD – which when folded up translates to BOLD. The print also draws on military camouflage print to signify bravery and pays homage to the truly South African Shangaan Bag.