South Africa’s first National Portrait Award has been launched by Sanlam Private Investments. Calling on works that respect the age-old tradition of portraiture, while still pushing the boundaries, the competition hopes to attract accomplished artists with a cash prize of R100 000.
Conceived in partnership with Durbanville’s Rust-en-Vrede Art Gallery, the winner of the award will be announced in August 2013. The winning work – as well as around 40 other outstanding entries – will tour South Africa in an exhibition presented in collaboration with the Sanlam Art Collection and VISI magazine.
Portraiture holds a significant place in Western art tradition and the award aims to shine the spotlight firmly on this evocative and celebrated genre that. South African artists are challenged to enter works that engage the context of past and contemporary art history, in the medium of their choice (excluding lens-based artwork, i.e. video, film, photography).
A panel of three judges will identify the winning portrait and select additional works for the national touring exhibition. All works will be judged anonymously so artists are requested not to sign their work. The panel will be convened by Stefan Hundt, head of the Sanlam Private Investments Art Advisory Service and curator of the Sanlam Art Collection.
Stefan says that South Africa has a rich and, at times, controversial legacy of portraiture influenced by its social and political history. “Accommodating the intentions of the commissioner and expectations of the subject requires the artist to invoke an extensive repertoire of skills and knowledge to fashion a work of substance that exceeds the minimum requirements of likeness and character.”
“We feel particularly connected to this new platform for art in South Africa,” says Daniël Kriel, CEO of SPI. “We know art is a passion for many of our clients, and of increasing investment interest, and few things are more intimate or personal than a portrait. A commissioned portrait can be the height of flattery, or the paragon of vanity, yet remains a defining testament to the person’s individuality.”
The SPI National Portrait Award 2013 is open to anyone resident in South Africa older than 21 years. Entries should be received by 19 August 2013. The award ceremony will take place on 27 August 2013 at the Rust-en-Vrede Art Gallery, Durbanville, where the selected works will be on exhibition and open for public viewing from 28 August to 8 October 2013.
For more information on the competition, entry forms and competition rules: www.spiportraitaward.co.za
