Following the success of last year’s competition, the much anticipated 2017 Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Competition, presented by Phatshoane Henney Attorneys in association with Oliewenhuis Art Museum, was launched this week, spearheaded by a motivational presentation by acclaimed South African artist, Willie Bester.
The launch and information session held at Oliewenhuis Art Museum in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, the 15th of March, attracted nearly 150 artists and interested parties who received pointers on competition preparation and news regarding the rollout of the competition in 2017 as well as an exciting new feature that had been added to this year’s competition.
Sam Moleko, Director at Phatshoane Henney Attorneys, announced Gallery on Leviseur as a new competition partner who will be hosting the Winners Group Exhibition mid-2018. “All competition winners, including Merit Award winners, will automatically qualify for preparation support and the Winners Group Exhibition to be held at Gallery on Leviseur to showcase a broader body of the competition winners’ work,” he said.
This additional incentive to enter the competition is on top of the R100 000 in prize money that will be allocated to the competition winners, with R50 000 awarded to the winner, R20 000 to the Runner-up and R10 000 each to two Merit Award winners, as well as R10 000 to the Public Choice Award winner.
Moleko took the opportunity to revisit the central aim of this visual arts competition, namely to provide a platform for the discovery and advancement of new and emerging Free State artists. “We wish the competition to continue celebrating the excellence and creativity of artists based in the Free State, where our firm has its roots.”
Ester le Roux, curator at Oliewenhuis Art Museum also expanded on the concept of new and emerging artists highlighting that “new does not relate to age but rather to your positioning as an artist. This means that the only exclusion is if you are already an established artist with solo exhibition experience. Otherwise the competition is open for all and will hopefully uncover the next new breed artist.” She also emphasised that artists must make sure that they obtain a copy of the entry form and carefully read the submission requirements to ensure they prepare well and timeously to avoid late or incomplete submissions. Submissions will be at Oliewenhuis Art Museum from 4 to 10 September 2017.
Bester, particularly well known for his Resistance Art and installations made of found objects, called on local artists to “use art as a vehicle for change in this world.”
“Remember, art is the heartbeat of life that keeps reminding us of our roots and gives you a voice to change the course of life or society. Sometimes people may think that your ideas are ridiculous – but you should try and prove them wrong. So follow your passion and take control of your plan.” With these sagely words ringing in their ears many of the young artists took opportunity to talk to Bester about art and how they could better prepare for the competition.
For the entry form and more competition information, artists can visit the art competition website at www.phinc.co.za/art. Further enquiries can be directed to Magdel Louw, competition coordinator, at art@phinc.co.za or Ester le Roux, curator at Oliewehuis, at oliewen@nasmus.co.za or (051) 011 0525.