BY ADA DIKE
Entries
for the eighth edition of the National Art Competition (AAF) 2015 have opened.
The
competition includes a cash prize of two million naira for the first place
winner and provides the artist with national and international exposure and
exhibition opportunities and a cash prize of one million naira each for both
second and third place winners.
Speaking
at a press conference held in Lagos recently, Director, African Artists’
Foundation, Mr. Azubike Nwagbogu, who announced the call for the entries for
the prizes, said the annual art competition is organised by African Artists'
Foundation (AAF) and sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc.
“Since
its inception in 2008, the National Art Competition (NAC) has sought to unite
artists and society through the interpretation of crucial themes proposed in
each year's call for entries. The National Art Competition has succeeded in
achieving these goals by empowering young artists and developing talent in
Nigeria,” Nwagbogu said.
In
the same vein, the Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre
U. Ekanem, noted that the National Art Competition aims to promote the
conceptual development of contemporary art in Nigeria with the mission of
raising awareness on relevant social issues through the use of creative
artistic expression.
According
to him, “In its eighth-year span, the National Art Competition showcases
emerging talent in such diverse mediums as painting, sculpture, photography,
mixed media, installation and video art, and it is open to aspiring Nigerian
artists. The competition has cemented itself as a leading platform for the
development of the next generation of contemporary artists in Nigeria.
He
added that: “Nigerian Breweries has over the years been a partner with
Government, communities and various non-governmental organizations through her
corporate social responsibilities activities which is defined by the company’s
long term ‘Brewing a Better World’ sustainability agenda. This has resulted in
the execution of various projects and initiatives such as the building of
classrooms and libraries in both primary and secondary schools across communities
in Nigeria. We also in the past month executed the ‘Beyond the School
Initiative,’ a career guidance and counseling programme for senior secondary
students in Lagos. In May 2015, we launched the ‘Maltina Teacher of the Year’ a
new initiative aimed at recognizing and celebrating the exceptional public
secondary school teachers around the country.
The
National Art Competition is one of the platforms our Growing with Communities
focus area in our ‘Brewing a Better
World’ sustainability agenda and also a key component of our commitment to
‘Winning with Nigeria’. This competition promotes and encourages the
development of creativity, arts and artists in Nigeria. We recognize that art
plays an important role in strengthening cultural values in any society and
this sponsorship remains part of broad initiative to support art development in
Nigeria as well as the development of talents in various fields of arts.
“The competition focuses on the process of
artistic creation, artists are asked to submit a proposal for an unreleased
work. After collection of entries, twelve finalists are invited to take part in
a week-long artist retreat in Lagos, where workshops will be conducted by
leading art professionals to assist finalists enhance the conceptual thread of
the proposal. Finalists are then given a stipend for the production of their
work,” he explained.
Speaking
on the impact of the competition on her career, NAC 2014 winner, Modupeola
Fadugba, said participating and winning the competition has helped her to
understand how to plan creatively. “Presently, I have a great visibility
through the NAC. I participated in an exhibition in London in February this
year and I have many engagements and exhibitions within and outside Nigeria
line up.
Brand
Director, African Artists’ Foundation, Wunika Mukan, spoke on the theme:
‘Future Histories’. She stressed that this year’s theme asks artists creating
work in these mediums, and beyond to express the nation what a future history
is, what it can be, what it must be for Nigerians and artists alike. “Artists
are encouraged to think laterally about the social, political and cultural
climate of the local communities and Nigeria as a country, whilst exploring
their terra incognita art practice.
“Future
Histories is a creative production of how art explores both the imaginary and
the inevitable elements of the future while maintaining its innate quality of
documentation and foresight. We are looking forward to receiving participants’ entries,”
she added.
The organizers maintained that, this year’s
competition will be in three parts: Call for entry, artists retreat and the
final exhibition and announcement of winner. Artists are to submit their entries
on the website:wwwnationalartcompetiton.org.
He
stressed that it is open to all mediums. “Only proposal will be accepted,
completed or existing artwork will be disqualified. All entries should be sent
as a pdf attachment to: nac2015@african artists.org.
The
grand finale and judging ceremony will be held in November 2015 to select
winners. The winners will be decided by a panel of judges led by the
international acclaimed award winner, Professor El Anatsui.”
The
competition opened on Tuesday, June 9, 2015and deadline for submission of work
is July 3, 2015.
 |
|
The Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigeria Breweries
Plc, Mr. Kufre U. Ekanem (middle); Director, African Artists’ Foundation, Mr.
Azubike Nwagbogu (second right); Brand Director, African Artists’ Foundation,
Wunika Mukan (second left); NAC 2014 winner, Modupeola Fadugba (first right)
and a member of the organisers of the National Art Competition 2015
|
No comments:
Post a Comment