Last night the Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Exhibition at Oliewenhuis Art Museum has been officially opened to the public, showcasing the 35 top Free State artists’ works selected to be in line for the winning prize. 

After having judged the 216 artworks entered from all over the province, the New Breed Competition judging panel had chosen 41 exciting artworks to be exhibited here. A wide variety of high quality artworks, amongst others paintings, sculptures, drawings and mixed media are on show.

The 35 selected artists whose works are being showcased, are as follows: 

In his opening speech, Sam Moleko, director in the commercial department at Phatshoane Henney Attorneys, remarked that he is especially excited as he believes the competition has achieved exactly what it set out to do – which is to uncover emerging Free State talent. “I am sure you will agree with me after viewing the works that we have a wonderful variety of works in our opening competition year to provide the judges some grey hairs in having to make their final judging decisions!”

He also highlighted a unique feature to the competition, which is the online exhibition accompanying the physical exhibition, showcasing all 41 artworks as well as the respective artists’ profiles on the Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Competition website at www.phinc.co.za/art - allowing easy viewing and sharing via social media.

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. “By voting and sharing your favourite artist and works, we hope to extend the reach of the competition beyond the walls of Oliewenhuis and involve a far wider audience,” Moleko said.

The exhibition will run till 27 November 2016 with the final prize giving taking place at a formal award function on 17 November where R100,000 in prize money will be awarded to the best entries in the following categories:

• First prize: R50 000
• Runner-up prize: R20 000
• 2 Merit Award prizes of R10 000 each
• 1 Public Choice Award prize of R10 000

Competition winners and selected artists will also be featured in Phatshoane Henney Attorneys monthly newsletters reaching South Africa’s top corporate, institutional and governmental clients for 12 months following the competition, as well as in the 2017 Calendar of Phatshoane Henney Attorneys circulated to its top clients. Works of competition winners and selected artists will also be exhibited for a period in the Head Office building of Phatshoane Henney Attorneys providing further exposure to the firm’s clients.

Magdel Louw, competition co-ordinator and marketing manager at Phatshoane Henney Attorneys, expressed great excitement at soon revealing the much awaited winner. “It gives us much joy to be able 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 concluded.