Sanlam Private Investments (SPI) has
announced a diverse panel of judges for the inaugural SPI National Portrait
Award.
The award was launched to celebrate and
showcase the best of original portraiture in South Africa. The panel is made up
of Hayden Proud (curator for painting and sculpture at the Iziko South African
National Gallery), Vulendlela Nyoni (lecturer in printmaking at the University
of Stellenbosch) and Judith Mason (veteran celebrated artist).
Stefan Hundt, head of Sanlam Private
Investments’ Art Advisory Service and convenor of the panel, says the robust
conversation sparked by the Kate Middleton portrait recently has strongly
highlighted the important place portraiture holds in the contemporary art
world. “The award has already attracted significant interest in the South
African art space and we are extremely pleased with the calibre of judges we
have attracted.”
He said Hayden Proud is an accomplished
portraitist himself whose views as an art historian, curator and experienced
painter will be invaluable. “Judith Mason, an internationally celebrated mixed
medium artist, has long been a highly respected, influential player in the art
world. She brings with her an artist’s point of view. Printmaker and University
of Stellenbosch lecturer, Vulendlela Nyoni is a young artist who has made his
mark in the contemporary art world and will bring a youthful perspective to
judging the works entered.”
Hundt said it was particularly pleasing
that the panel comprised such diverse, experienced and knowledgeable
individuals. “We are also completely comfortable that the judge’s views will be
independent.”
The first winner of the SPI National
Portrait Award will receive a monetary prize of R100,000. The award is offered
in association with the Rust-end-Vrede Gallery and is open to anyone resident
in South Africa older than 21 years.
Entries should be received by August 19, 2013.
For information on how to enter visit http://www.spiportraitaward.co.za/
The award ceremony will take place on August
27 at the Rust-en-Vrede Gallery, Durbanville, where the selected works will be
on exhibition and open for public viewing from August 28 until October 8.
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