On Saturday 16 October we opened the StateoftheART Gallery Award Finalists Exhibition in Cape Town, with 2 works by each of the Top 10 finalists on show.
In 2021, the Award was open to entries from visual artists around SA, to share their artworks to the theme "On The Brink: Visualising Climate Change". Each artist has explored how climate change affects their own community and found a way to visualise these changes in their unique artistic medium. From the heavy toll plastic waste has on our oceans and in our landfills; the destruction of coral reefs and the lack of clean water; to the displacement caused by mining, the exhibition presents a visual presentation of a very real threat to our existence on this planet. Art that speaks to the effects of climate change has a unique potential to make these problems personal and relevant, with artists able to serve in the role of commentator, collaborator, storyteller, catalyst, and more.
Including photography, painting, printmaking and sculpture, learn more about the exhibition here.
One of the 2021 Judging panel, Strijdom van der Merwe gave the opening address and Jennifer Reynolds from StateoftheART Gallery then announced who the overall winner this year is. Congratulations to Sylvester Zanoxolo Mqeku who receives a cash prize of R40 000 to support the development of new work, and a solo exhibition with StateoftheART Gallery in 2022.
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Watch our recap film of the 2021 StateoftheART Gallery Award, including comments from the Judges and Finalists:
And browse 2021 Winner, Sylvester Zanoxolo Mqeku's sculptures for sale online here.
