Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Competition 2017 exhibition open: public invited to cast their vote

06 October 2017 452

Following the official opening of the 2017 Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Competition exhibition at Oliewenhuis Art Museum in Bloemfontein on 5 October, the public can now cast their vote for their favourite artist to win the Public Choice Award.

A total of 40 outstanding artworks by 29 Free State artists have been selected to be showcased during the Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art exhibition. Of these, only five artists – of which one is determined by the public - can emerge as the 2017 competition winners.

Voting is as simple as visiting the online exhibition on the Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Competition website at www.phinc/art, showing all 40 artworks and the respective artists’ profiles. The Public Choice Award will then go to the artist who receives the most online votes on the official art competition website, and be awarded R10 000 in prize money.

The rest of the R100 000 prize money will be awarded to the overall winner, R20 000 to the Runner-up and R10 000 each to two Merit Award winners. Furthermore all five winners will participate in the Winners Group Exhibition that’s to be held at Gallery on Leviseur during the Vryfees arts festival next year. 

At the exhibition opening Sam Moleko, director of Phatshoane Henney Attorneys and spokesperson for the competition, remarked on the quality and broad variety of works that have made it into the exhibition, which include paintings, drawings, sculptures, and mixed media artworks. “I truly believe that in this, the competition’s second year, we have again achieved what we set out to do at the start – to uncover emerging talent and through this competition provide a showcase for such talent.”

He highlighted that, as important as uncovering new artists is, so too, is the importance of growing awareness and interest in art amongst the wider public. “A contributory aim of the competition is to increase the visibility of artists and art amongst our public and make the experience and accessibility of art, a broader one. Our Public Choice Award category is central to this process – and I encourage each of you to make your voice heard and vote for your favourite artists on the website, thereby showing your support to these talented artists.“

Voters are also automatically entered into a weekly lucky draw, in which an exclusive Hermanuspietersfontein wine hamper is up for grabs.

Moleko further hinted at an exciting opportunity for local artists to attend a workshop conducted by Willie Bester, acclaimed resistance artist who is world-renowned for his installations of found objects, later this year. “To allow other artists to draw on his knowledge and experience, Bester, one of the official competition judges, will lead a two-day internship programme for emerging Free State artists on 8 & 9 November under the banner of the competition – in this way helping to mentor and nurture our local talent.” 

He however pointed out that limited spaces are available, and that in order to qualify for this opportunity, applicants will need to apply for selection and undergo a formal selection process. More information is available in the media, on the competition website and competition Facebook page (@PhatshoaneHenneyNewBreedArtCompetition).

“In the meantime, make your voices heard by voting, and share your favourite artists with your friends, colleagues and family,” he concluded.

The winners of the competition will be announced at a formal prize giving function on the 9th of November.

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