Young artists invited to enter 2016 Barclays L�Atelier
Staff Writer | Thursday November 19, 2015 16:02
“This was the first time in the competition’s 30-year history that it was extended to include emerging artists from across South Africa’s borders with fantastic results.
The first merit award with a residency in Johannesburg prize, for example, was awarded to Kweku Ampadu Appah from Ghana for his incredible mixed media piece, Worn out family,” Barclays Art and Museum Curator, Dr Paul Bayliss said. “We were very impressed with all the entries received from the Batswana, Zambian, Ghanaian and Kenyan artists, and look forward to receiving the same calibre work this year from these four countries’ best young artists.” Off the back of the positive response received from these artists, Barclays L’Atelier is being extended in 2016 to include the best up-and-coming artists in Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius and Seychelles.
Another significant change to this year’s competition is the inclusion of a virtual exhibition of the top 100 works from artists across all participating countries, as adjudicated by the competition’s judging panel.
The exhibition will be hosted on the Barclays L’Atelier website at www.lateliercompetition.com Barclays L’Atelier, hosted in conjunction with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), nurtures young talent, and serves as a platform for young and emerging artists to make their mark in the African art arena.
Of particular significance to entering artists are the opportunities to attend a two-day art professionalism course in Johannesburg that will assist them in managing their art careers as viable businesses, and to be part of the Barclays L’Atelier mentorship programme, which will be afforded to the top 10 L’Atelier finalists. The latter sees artists receiving personal mentoring from an established African contemporary in the visual arts field for a year.
Over and above all these, the competition also rewards the wining visual artists with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to develop their talents abroad, among international artists from all corners of the globe.
As such, Barclays L’Atelier is widely celebrated as the African art competition that has a sustainable, far-reaching and ever-lasting impact on young artists’ careers.
Entry forms for artists wanting to participate in the 2016 Barclays L’Atelier are located on the competition’s website and can be completed from January 1 until March 4 2016.
Artists can call +27 11 350 3003 (South Africa) or visit www.lateliercompetition.com for further information.
Queries can also be directed to Dr Paul Bayliss, Barclays Art and Museum Curator, on +27 82 417 5674 (mobile) or via email on paulbay@absa.co.za