Johannesburg, freedom canvas
Chandrea Gerber
9 July 2004
The JhbArtCity 2004 project's "Images of Freedom" competition - now with an extended deadline - aims to celebrate SA's decade of democracy, promote contemporary South African artists, and turn the city of Johannesburg into a giant outdoor art gallery.
The second phase of the JhbArtCity 2004 project aims to contrast the struggle of South Africa's past - depicted in the first phase of the project, Images of Defiance, a resistance poster exhibition at MuseuMAfricA - with the freedom and democracy of the present and future.
Stunning, evocative, intricate and unusual artworks have already been submitted by both established and up-and-coming artists. The organisers, the Central Johannesburg Partnership, following requests by people still working on their artworks, have extended the closing date for entries until the end of July.
South African artists resident and working in the country, who have had at
least one group or solo exhibition in a reputable gallery within the last three years, are invited to enter paintings for consideration.
The aim is not only to showcase South African art and artists on a "large" scale, but also to use the artworks to direct the attention of the public to projects that have been revamped or built as part of the revitalisation of downtown Johannesburg.
A prestigious panel - including Bongi Dhlomo, Xoulla Finisteris, Frank Ledimo and Steven Sack - will select 20 works for exhibition throughout the city.
The images will be enlarged without distortion and reproduced on huge "canvases" for exhibition at selected sites throughout the city. It is anticipated that they will be erected by 1 September.
Each of the 20 selected artists will receive R5 000, with a further R5 000 going to a single artist whose work the panellists have identified as outstanding. Another award of R5 000 will be made for the public's favourite work of
art.
Artists may submit a maximum of two works, which may be new works or works created since 1994, depicting a South African response to freedom.
The closing date for entries is 31 July. The artwork must be delivered to the collection point on before the closing date, together with the entry form completed in full, the artist's curriculum vitae and, where appropriate, a letter of consent completed and signed by the artist.
Artworks can be delivered to 90 Market Street Johannesburg, or can be couriered to the same address - the courier company being used is ICB (Telephone 011 726 6248). Artists' work can be collected after the competition.
The JhbArtCity competition idea was formulated in late 2001 after a final-year Wits University law student, Saul Symanowitz, approached the Central Johannesburg Partnership with the concept of using the city as an art gallery for massively enlarged South African art.
Symanowitz's aims was to "bring art to the people" and reflect the culture and soul of Johannesburg, demonstrating that art and culture are major driving forces in urban renewal.
A huge success and perfectly timed for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the JhbArtCity 2002 competition showcased 20 works of contemporary South African art for both the general public and overseas tourists.
The Johannesburg Art City 2004 exhibition is organised by The City of Johannesburg, the Central Johannesburg Partnership, the Johannesburg Inner City Business Coalition and the Johannesburg Development Agency, with support from Business and Arts South Africa.
Source: City of Johannesburg website
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