An art award that honors Southeast Asian artists who devote their works to freedom is getting a bump in the prize money at the start of the new year.
The award, presented by a Singapore art fair in conjunction with the United States Embassy, is named after the first U.S. ambassador to Singapore, Joseph Balestier. The prize money, which will be doled out in January 2016, has been raised to more than S$20,000, an increase of about one-quarter of the prize money from the first time this prize was awarded this past year.
The winner of the 2015 Joseph Balestier Award was Indonesian artist FX Harsono, known best for his installation exhibits and performance artwork, as well as his pro-democracy criticism efforts and work bringing attention and awareness to minority groups.
Harsono, who is also on the shortlist of potential winners for the 2016 award, challenges political viewpoints while exercising the ability of free expression in his art. One of his better-known works features Indonesian masks cut into two pieces, a commentary on people and forces in power marginalizing traditional groups and beliefs. Another vivid installation from Harsono is a four-place table setting perfectly placed and ready for diners — but only if the diners are hungry for dozens of delicately arranged butterflies.
The rest of the shortlist will be announced early in January. Another nominee is Singapore performance artist Lee Wen.
Three jury members from the region have been appointed to pick the winner of the 2016 award, with the announcement for top prize coming in the middle of January. The grant money included in the top prize is also accompanied by a certificate and trophy, which are all presented by the current U.S. ambassador to Singapore, Kirk Wagar, as well as the director of the Singapore art fair that cosponsors the prize, Lorenzo Rudolf.
Rudolf added that the prominent art award was possible because of the partnership with the U.S. Embassy. The art award is also the latest effort to recognize the importance of arts and culture in society, coming on the tail of a slew of new art galleries, shows, exhibitions, museums, festivals, and much more in Singapore, marking the nation’s 50th birthday.
With such a significant push to recognize how important art is, now is the time to contribute your own creative viewpoints to the art world. Sign up for an art class via SGArtClass.com. Our website is the easiest way to browse and indicate your interest in various art classes ranging in all kinds of art genres, from installation art like Indonesian artist FX Harsono, to more traditional forms of art, including mural art, photography, scratch art, portraits, and much more. All of our classes are led by knowledgeable instructors dedicated to making your in-class experience as fun and informative as possible. Classes can be held onsite or at a location of your convenience, such as your home or office. Enroll today to ride the artistic wave.
For more on the Singapore art prize, go to http://news.asiaone.com/news/lifestyle/freedom-art-prize-money-raised-20000.