A total of 40 outstanding artworks have been selected to be showcased during the 2017 Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Exhibition at Oliewenhuis Art Museum in Bloemfontein, officially opening next week.

Of these, only five artists can emerge as the 2017 competition winners.

It was after careful consideration that the Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Competition judging panel manage to whittle down the just over 100 entries received from all over the Free State, to the 40 best works - which the public can view at Oliewenhuis Art Museum from 5 October to 19 November 2017. A wide variety of paintings, drawings, sculptures, and mixed media artworks will be on show.

The physical exhibition will also be accompanied by an online exhibition on the Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Competition website at www.phinc/art, showing all 40 artworks and the respective artists’ profiles. In addition, the official competition Facebook page (@PhatshoaneHenneyNewBreedArtCompetition) is sure to be abuzz with the latest news, as well as several fun opportunities for the public to engage.

Most exciting and unique to this art competition, is the active part the public will play in determining one of the five competition winners, who will all participate in a Winners Group Exhibition to be held at Gallery on Leviseur during the Vryfees arts festival next year. The Public Choice Award will go to the artist who receives the most online votes on the official art competition website and receive R10 000 in prize money. 

Of the rest of the R100 000 prize money, R50 000 will be awarded to the winner, R20 000 to the Runner-up and R10 000 each to two Merit Award winners, as decided by the judges.

Ester le Roux, curator of Oliewenhuis Art Museum, remarked that the high quality of the artworks chosen to be exhibited is clear evidence of the remarkable local talent in the Free State. “The diversity of media used, as well as the inventive and technically sound ways in which media is applied throughout, are very exciting. For a visual treat I strongly encourage you to visit Oliewenhuis to view the artworks, or have a look online. And don’t forget to vote for your favourite artist!”

The winners will be announced on 9 November 2017.