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Emerging Painting Invitational - Pan-African Emerging Painting Prize
The Emerging Painting Invitational is a nomadic Africa painting prize, developed by the African Art Galleries Association to support emerging contemporary painting and painters in Africa and to bring attention to new centers of art on the continent. The prize is supported by an exhibition of the 15-20 finalists, and international art weekend for industry professionals and collectors, a full colour catalogue, content rich website and an extensive PR and marketing programme. The inaugural edition of the prize took place in Harare from 26-28 July, 2019 and was hosted in Harare at First Floor Gallery Harare, with future editions planned for Luanda, Kampala and beyond. Background and context History of art is written by painting far more than by any other art form. While in the West, painting today is treated as a conservative medium, elsewhere, including Africa painting is a space with powerful opportunities for expression of self-determination, story-telling and innovation. While interest in African contemporary art has been rising internationally, developing successful painting practices has been a challenge for emerging artists on the continent. Materials are in short supply as is the educational infrastructure and expertise. Despite that, there is a depth of talent and a passion for painting among emerging artists on the continent eager to tell their stories, reach local and international audiences and also to take their place in global story of art. This goal is significant not just ideologically but also economically, since 70% of all artworks sold internationally are in fact paintings. So support for painting on the continent is essential for achievement of economic sustainability for local art sectors. The Painting Invitational is designed to actively address the challenges experienced by emerging painters on the continent and to accelerate growth as follows:
Prize Nominating Committee: Daudi Karugi, Afriart Gallery, Kampala Julie Taylor, Guns and Rain, Johannesburg Elia Gemuce, Arte de Gema, Maputo, Mozambique Marc Stanes, Ebony Curate, Cape Town Oliver Enwonwu, Omenka Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria Dominick Maia, Espace Luanda Arte, Luanda Valerie Kabov, First Floor Gallery Harare, Harare Lanre Fisher, Artyrama, Lagos, Nigeria Bouvy Enkobo, Kinshasa, DRC Jonathan Freemantle, Hazard Gallery, Johannesburg MJ Turpin, Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg Sonia Ribero, This is not a white cube, Luanda Robel Temesgen, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Janire Bilbao, Mov'art, Luanda |