Chen
Georgia Hemmings, Staff Reporter
JAMAICA'S private sector is finally responding to the challenge to become more involved in the development of local art, and not just as buyers and collectors.
Wayne Chen, chief executive officer of Super Plus Food, has announced an "Artist of the Year" competition, to promote what he says are "new expressions in art, especially among young, upcoming artists."
Speaking at the launch last Tuesday at the Mutual Life Gallery on Oxford Road, Mr. Chen, an avid collector, said his action was prompted, in part, by a strong curiosity to "know what kind of art was out there, what young artists are capable of producing, once they are not limited by concerns about the marketplace (sales or customer demand)."
He is the sole sponsor of the competition, which will reward an artist selected by a jury as the "most promising" of a group of entrants.
The competition is being organised in collaboration with the Mutual Life Gallery, and curator Gilou Bauer said she and Mr. Chen spend time hammering out the rules and regulations of the competition.
"It was during the opening of another exhibition at the gallery last year that Mr. Chen mooted the idea of an exhibition that would have the public 'tearing down the door' to view some unique works," Mrs. Bauer explained, "And this competition is the outcome of several discussions we've had in the course of last year."
According to her, the competition will aim to:
Target younger artists who have not yet had the opportunity to participate in major exhibitions in or outside of Jamaica;
Challenge younger artists to produce work with a greater freedom of expression in style, technique and content;
Open up dialogue with the public to promote a better understanding of young artist's works.
Submissions are being invited from all artists living in Jamaica, including foreign artists residing here for at least two years. Artists whether either trained or self-taught must be age 40 years or under as at June 26, which is the deadline date for submission of entries.
'People's Choice'
Each artist will be allowed to submit three pieces of work from the categories of painting, sculpture, installation, ceramics, photography or fibre art. A panel of judges will short-list artists from all entries received, and these selected artists will participate in an exhibition which will be judged by a jury, as well as members of the public.
This "People's Choice" is a most important component of the competition, according to Mrs. Bauer, as "we want to generate lively dialogue with the public; we want to know what kind of art the public likes, as academic choice will certainly differ from popular choice."
Over a two-week period, in which the exhibition will be staged, members of the public will be invited to view the works and submit their comments and preferences.
"And each member of the public will be asked to submit his/her name and address when making a selection in order to ensure bona fide endorsement," Mrs. Bauer said.
Afterwards the five-member jury will select the "best artist". Two prizes will be awarded on July 13. The winner of the jury prize will receive $100,000, while the winner of the public prize will be awarded $50,000.
Apart from the cash prizes, the organisers are promising the artists a "high level of exposure" to promote a better understanding of their works.
"The public will have many opportunities to become acquainted with the artists and their works through extensive media coverage (television, radio, newspaper)," Mrs. Bauer said. "And we are arranging for coverage of the short-listed entries, as well extensive interviews for the winner."
But, media exposure aside, it is hoped that the competition/exhibition will help to bridge the gap between artists and the public, thereby promoting better understanding of the Jamaican artistic culture, Mr. Chen said. So, during the exhibition, a series of discussions will be scheduled nightly at the Mutual Life Gallery with artists and the public.
Karl "Jerry" Craig, veteran artist and senior lecturer at the University of the West Indies, declared the competition "a good thing for Jamaican artists", and urged participants to "come up with work that's fresh and free, despite the difficulties relating to time and material."
To reduce any time pressure, the organisers will accept any work produced after January 1, 2000, with no restrictions on size or pieces previously exhibited.
The judging panel will comprise Douglas Reid, curator of Grovesnor Galleries; Mrs. Bauer of Mutual Life; art historian Michael Cooke; art collector Wayne Gallimore; and Hope Brooks, head of the School of Art at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
"The decision of the jury will be final," Mrs Bauer stated, "And the competition will be a friendly one, so we do not want any disgruntled artist at the end."
Mr. Chen assured his audience of artists and art lovers that the artist's personal status and attributes will not be taken into consideration by the judges.
"It's only the art that's going to matter," he declared.
Artists are being reminded to submit their personal details for inclusion in a catalogue, which will be produced to mark the competition.
Additional information can be obtained from Mutual Life Gallery, 2 Oxford Road, Telephone: 929-4302; Fax: 906-4165; or e-mail: mlgallery@cwjamaica.com
