Presented and hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni, the annual national Thami Mnyele Fine Art Awards (MFAA) is a contemporary fine art competition that caters for artists of all ages, from all over South Africa, producing artworks in various media. In addition to the overall first prize, there are merit awards in a number of categories, as well as a special Ekurhuleni prize. A total amount of R160 000.00 prize money is awarded. In 2014 an additional prize for one of the Merit Awards Winners was introduced by Lizamore and Associates. This prize affords a mentorship programme as well as a solo exhibition. A competition of this nature serves as a platform where artists are encouraged to transcend limitations, and reconfigure and manipulate contemporary cultural social and political signs. It is the duty of dedicated artists to employ various media to express metaphors, and use their aesthetic sensibility to reflect the world we live in.
Art must become a process – a loving, growing thing that people can relate to, identify with, be part of, understand; not a mysterious world a universe apart from them – Thami Mnyele
SUBMISSION
Works may be entered on 22, 23, and 24 August 2017 from 09:00 to 19:00 at the Coen Scholtz Recreation Centre, Mooifontein Road, Birchleigh North, Kempton Park. Satellite entry points are available at Boksburg Library on 22 August 2017, from 09:00 to 16:00, Springs Art Gallery on 22 to 23 August 2017 from 09:00 to 19:00 and Katlehong Art Centre, 203 Sontonga Street, Phooko Section on 23 August 2017 from 09:00 to 16:00. Entry fee: R50 per artwork entered.
PRIZES
First Prize R60,000.00 Ekurhuleni Prize R40 000.00 Multi and New Media Merit Award R15,000.00 Painting Merit Award R15,000.00 Art on Paper Merit Award R15,000.00 Sculpture Merit Award R15,000.00 Lizamore & Associates Mentorship Programme Solo Exhibition.
ADJUDICATORS
Avitha Sooful, Mpho Makhubu, Andrew Tshabangu, Dr Same Mdluli and Sara Hallat.
EXHIBITION
The opening function of the Exhibition and Prize Giving Ceremony will take place on 23 September 2017 (18:00) at the Coen Scholtz Recreation Centre in Mooifontein Road, Birchleigh North, Kempton Park. The Exhibition will run from 24 September to 15 October 2017.
MORE INFO
Please contact the Visual Arts Curator at 011 391 4006/7 / 011 999 4286 / 011 999 4474 / 011 999 8726 or email: Plantina.Kodisang@ekurhuleni.gov.za | Maria.Gule@ekurhuleni.gov.za | Tshidiso.Makhetha@ekurhuleni.gov.za | Thabo.Sekoaila@ekurhuleni.gov.za
