April 12, 2006
By Thabang Mokoka
THE MTN Foundation is back at the Johannesburg Art Gallery with its MTN New Contemporaries Award and Exhibition.
The exhibition, which is held every two years, opens on Sunday, 23 April and runs for a month. Some have described it as the "Pay As You Go" show, referring to one of the cellphone company's packages.
"This is a showcase of five emerging South African artists who have not received recognition yet but who have been positioned to be leaders in their respective fields," says MTN and the gallery.
The awards were first made in 2001; the artists do not enter themselves, but are selected for entry. This year the five finalists, selected by the gallery's curator of contemporary collections, Khwezi Gule, are Nandipha Mntambo, Mlungisi Zondi, James Webb, Julia Rosa Clark and Sharlene Khan.
"The contemporary South African art arena is an exciting place and I am really looking forward to seeing the work on show," Mntambo said. "Being one of the artists included in this exhibition is very encouraging and humbling."
Clark said that by choice, her art career had been very Pay As You Go – no contract and a degree of anonymity. "Sometimes I am out of creative airtime, sometimes I make the call. MTN New Contemporaries is like the big top up."
Speaking of her selection, Khan said, "Adapting one's work to a specific site is always a challenge, and I am happy to take on this one."
Making a reference to MTN's advertising campaign, which emphasises yellow, Zondi said, "I am so excited my complexion has turned yellow."
Webb said that his artworks operated on a variety of levels and were always "augmented by site and context. Therefore I am intrigued by the dynamics of the competition and the Johannesburg Art Gallery space and their possible effects on readings into my work."
Each finalist has created a new artwork for the exhibition, which closes on Thursday, 25 June. Judges include well-established curators Clive Kellner and Philippa Hobbs, and two other judges who have not been named yet. They will announce the winner at the opening.
For more information, contact Khwezi Gule on 011 725 3130 or by email on khwezig@joburg.org.za.
The Johannesburg Art Gallery is at King George Street, between Wolmarans and Noord streets, Joubert Park, Johannesburg.
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