Sasol Wax Art Awards

The Sasol Wax Art Award exhibition opens in October at the University of Johannesburg Art Centre.

The Sasol Wax Art Award is South Africa’s most prestigious accolade for established artists. It is the only industry benchmark that recognises artists who have achieved professional maturity and are on a par with the best internationally.

Five of South Africa’s most dynamic contemporary artists, Avhashone Mainganye, Tracey Rose, Stephen Hobbs, Hentie van der Merwe and Brett Murray were selected from over 120 nominations to participate in the third Sasol Wax Art Award exhibition, open to the public from the 14th October – 7 November 2008.

In its third year, the Award is targeted at mid-career and professionally mature artists with substantial exhibition profiles. This category is not represented by most South African art opportunities, which focus on younger emerging artists. While mid-career artists have proven their excellence in their fields, there are few opportunities to recognise this.

Wax must be featured in either the process, the concept or as a medium in the finalists’ artworks.

“ It was amazing to see how the different bodies of work come together”, says Curator and Artistic Director Les Cohn. “Working independently of each other, there is still a common theme running through the works which represents the Zeigtgeist of the country at the moment- challenges, questions and ironies about power in it many forms.”

The works on exhibition will include video installations that challenge the notions of corporate power and sponsorship, explorations of the changing landscape of a city, as well as tributes to the significant history of the Venda region, and the power of the spiritual ties that bind people. The artists have made full use of the exhibition venue, with finalist Brett Murray using the outside walls of the gallery as his canvas in a powerful installation message.

Says Carola Ross, Executive Director of the Award, “ The Award, now in its third year, has reached a level of maturity of its own. The industry has been wonderfully supportive of the project, and has in turn benefited from the Award. We feel that the Award has raised the bar for South African artists and created awareness that there is in fact segmentation in the industry, where artists can now be considered established at a certain level.”

Also on exhibition will be the work from the Sasol wax art award Jewellery Outreach Initiative, SWAA JOI, a programme affiliated to the Award in partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture, under the endorsement of the Deputy Minister Ntombazana Botha”

The programme has seen Durban University of Technology partner with community group, Velobala, and the University of the Johannesburg partnering with Imfundiso Skill Development Project.

Opportunities have thus been developed to act as catalysts for aspirant jewellery designers to explore creative concepts, and develop technical proficiency. Bringing together students the various institutions, programme provides skills training, and encourages creative exchange between the two parties.

The finalists work will be on exhibition to the public at the University of Johannesburg Opportunities have thus been developed to act as catalysts for aspirant jewellery designers to explore creative concepts, and develop technical excellence. Bringing together students from the University of Johannesburg Jewellery Department and Imfundiso Skills Development project this programme provides skills training, and encourages creative exchange between the two parties

The Sasol wax art award Finalists Exhibition will be open to the public at the University of Johannesburg Art Gallery, Kingsway Campus, Auckland Park from the 14 October – 5 November 2008.

Walkabouts and are on offer for the public.

The Sasol Wax Art Award 2008 Walkabout schedule is:

Avhashoni Mainganye artist Tues 14 10 2008 11 00

Brett Murray artist Wed 15 10 2008 11 00

Rika La Grange ass curator Fri 17 10 2008 12 30

Stephen Hobbs artist Tues 21 10 2008 16 00

Less Cohn curator Wed 22 10 2008 12 30

Tracey Rose artist Fri 24 10 2008 12 30

Les Cohn curator Tues 28 10 2008 16 00

Carola Ross Exec dir SWAA Wed 29 10 2008 12 30

Rika la Grange ass curator Fri 31 10 2008 12 30

Hentie van der Merwe artist Sat 01 11 2008 11 00

Rika La Grange ass curator Tues 04 11 2008 16 00

For more information, or to book a walkabout, please phone Rika La Grange on 011 726 2502 or e-mail wax@mweb.co.za

Further information is available from the Award organizers, Carola Ross and Associates at 011 726 2502 or on email to hotmango@mweb.co.za or visit www.sasol.com

For media queries:

Taryn Cohn
taryncohn@acenet.co.za
0836715139