"Finalists for the Absa Atelier Art Awards 2001 to be Announced Today"
2001-07-19 until 2001-08-17
Absa Gallery
Johannesburg, , ZA South Africa

Eighty-three young artists from around South Africa have been named as finalists for the national Absa Atelier Art Awards 2001, the longest established and most prominent visual art competition in the country. Their works were selected from 600 competition entries submitted. Absa will give the winner R60 000 in cash, a round trip to France and six months accommodation at the renowned artist colony, the Cité Internationale des Arts, in Paris. Four runners-up each receive R10 000.

The quality of entries for the competition, now in its 16th year, impressed the judges. Each year, the overall standard of works submitted improves, says Marc Edwards (Head: Fine Arts Technikon Witwatersrand), one of the regional judges of the competition. Artists are taking the Atelier seriously. It is very prestigious and the rewards are worthwhile. The Absa Atelier Awards offers artists the largest prize money for a competition of this kind in the country, which provides a huge incentive for producing quality pieces.

Says Angela Bruwer, General Manager: Absa Group Marketing. Because the competition is drawing entries from the cream of our country's artists, we have decided to extend the rewards of the competition. The top 10 finalists chosen will each receive a special certificate.

Says Cecile Loedolff, Manager: Arts & Functions at Absa: In previous years, only the winner and four merit award winners, received awards. But now we will be recognising the top 10 artists in a tangible way. The highly regarded certificate will raise their profiles in the industry and help the young artists to attract commissions.

The panel of independent judges who will choose the overall winners are: Karel Nel (Professor of Arts - Wits University), Cobus van Bosch (Art Critic - Die Burger), Conrad Theys (President - South African National Association for the Visual Arts, Ian Redelinghuys (Head - Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Technikon Pretoria), Vusimuzi Khumalo (Artist).

Members of the public are invited to an exhibition of the finalist works which will be held at the Absa Gallery, 161 Main Street, Johannesburg from 19 July - 17 August 2001.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for South Africa

Other Important Exhibitions in South Africa