Search is on for Top Emerging Artist for 2005

MEDIA RELEASE
13 April 2005

Search is on for New Zealand’s Top Emerging Artist for 2005

The search is on for New Zealand’s most talented up-and-coming artist as entries open for the third annual Mazda Emerging Artist Award.

The winner will walk away with a $10,000 cheque from Mazda, while the students who are placed second and third will receive $5,000 and $2,500 respectively.

The competition will once again be staged in conjunction with the annual Mazda Artworks at the Hilton in the last week of August (22nd – 27th). All emerging art will be on display and available for the public to purchase during the week, with sales beginning immediately following the awards ceremony to announce the winners on Monday 22nd.

Peter Aitken, managing director of Mazda New Zealand Ltd, stresses the importance of encouraging New Zealand’s emerging talent.

“Tertiary art students often face significant financial hurdles and the Mazda Emerging Artist Award is a means of offering reward and recognition for our up and coming artists,” said Mr Aitken.

“It is not just about coming first, second or third, but about providing a medium for the students to gain exposure of their art to a wide public audience and in many cases secure the first sale of their own work.”

The emerging art exhibition was a highlight of last year’s Artworks event which was viewed by over 2,000 people and raised $169,000 for the nominated charities. Artists (both established and emerging) received $281,000 from the sale of their work and prize money.

Last year the Mazda Emerging Artist Award went to Karen Macpherson from the Eastern Institute of Technology in Taradale for her painting, titled ‘voice’. Karen’s painting, which she had modestly priced at $500, sold following her win for $3,500 in the Artworks charity auction.

Karen said that winning the Award has helped her financially and given her the impetus to pursue her passion.

"Winning the Mazda Emerging Artist Award has been a really great confidence booster for me and the reason I decided to carry on with studying fine art.

“The prize money took a lot of pressure off me for the final year of my degree, as the cost of art supplies can be a burden."

The Mazda Emerging Artist Award is open to all 3rd and 4th year and post-graduate art students currently studying at a fine arts college within New Zealand. They are invited to enter a painting, drawing, photograph or print.

The three winning pieces will be auctioned off at a black tie dinner with total proceeds going to charity. Commission from the sale of all remaining emerging art entries will be split between; Variety – The Children’s Charity, The Spirit of Adventure Trust, The Malaghan Institute of Medical Research and the Liggins Institute.

Students wanting to enter need to register by Friday 8th July, with final artwork to be submitted in the week of 15 - 19 August 2005. For more information and registration forms log on to www.mazda.co.nz.

ENDS

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