Five of South Africa’s brightest creative stars were named
as recipients of the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards on October 28,
recognising and honouring their dynamic and outstanding contribution to the
vitality of the arts in the country.
“Each year, we marvel and celebrate a new group of artists
whose work demonstrates innovation and artistic excellence,” says National Arts
Festival Artistic Director Ismail Mahomed. “These are artists who are
courageously exploring new ways to shape or affirm our cultural experiences and
identities. Their work inspires their peers. It enthrals our audiences. It
revitalises the arts sector. Their incredible talents and creativity are the
immense investments that we engage at the National Arts Festival to grow our
arts economy.”
The winners of the 2016 Standard Bank Young Artist Awards
are:
• Themba
Mbuli for Dance
• Siya Makuzeni
for Jazz
• Avigail
Bushakevitz for Music
• Jade Bowers
for Theatre
• Mohau
Modisakeng for Visual Art
The strong partnership between the National Arts Festival
and Standard Bank, which has sponsored the award since 1984, has helped develop
South Africa’s cultural treasury that reflects the country’s artistic past as
well as serves to inspire new generations of artists, performers and musicians.
“The value of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award goes
beyond just celebrating five new talents,” Mahomed says. “The 31 years of
identifying and nurturing Standard Bank Young Artists has given South Africa a
rich cultural legacy with many of its earlier winners now being some of the
leading cultural legends in our country.”
This year’s award winners join a celebrated roll call of
honour that includes Sibongile Khumalo, William Kentridge, Kesivan Naidoo, Dada
Masilo, Andrew Buckland, Helen Sebidi and many others. The number of artists
who have received this accolade since its inception in 1981 now stands at 144.
“Providing an opportunity to exhibit and showcase one’s
works to key audiences is a critical part of a sustainable development
programme. We facilitate this by showcasing the artists at our sponsored and
owned arts properties such as the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz and the Standard
Bank Gallery. We are proud of these trailblazers and look forward to working
closely with them as they progress in their careers,” says Hazel Chimhandamba,
Head of Group Sponsorship at Standard Bank.
Winners from various artistic genres are selected by the
National Arts Festival Committee, chaired by Brett Bailey. The winners receive
a cash incentive and are given support to develop and premiere new works that
will be featured on the Main Programme of the 2016 National Arts Festival in
Grahamstown, which will run from June 30 to July 10, 2016.
For more information, visit www.nationalartsfestival.co.za
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