From next week the public can view the top Free State artists’ works selected to form part of the Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Exhibition at Oliewenhuis Art Museum in Bloemfontein.

After having judged the 216 artworks entered from all over the province, the New Breed Competition judging panel has chosen 41 exciting artworks to be exhibited here from 20 October to 27 November. A wide variety of high quality artworks, amongst others paintings, sculptures and drawings, will be on show.

A unique feature to the competition is the online exhibition that will be accompanying the physical exhibition, with all 41 artworks as well as the respective artists’ profiles to be showcased on the New Breed Art Competition website at www.phinc.co.za/art as from 20 October.

In addition the public will play an active part in deciding the winner of the Public Choice Award by voting online for their favourite artists.

Magdel Louw, competition co-ordinator and marketing manager at Phatshoane Henney Attorneys, says this is an important way of enabling public participation and making art an experience for everyone. “By offering a highly accessibly platform from which the public can view and vote for the top artists’ entries, as well as explore the artists profiles and extended portfolios, it greatly increases the exposure given to all top artists. The artists and public can also share their favourite artists’ works via social media and so doing create lively online engagement on who they regard as their favourite.”

The overall competition winner as decided by the judging panel, will be announced at a formal prize giving function on 17 November and receive R50 000 in prize money. The runner-up will receive R20 000, with two merit awards of R10 000 each also to be handed out, as well as the R10 000 Public Choice Award.

“We are extremely excited to finally reveal the much awaited winner and showcase the excellent new and upcoming Free State artists as discovered by the first Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Competition. May this truly provide the province’s artists with the opportunity to launch several promising careers in art,” Louw concludes.