IHC calls for entries for showcase Art Awards

3 May 2012

IHC calls for entries for showcase Art Awards

Experts from the worlds of fashion, photography and abstract art, will choose the winners in this year’s IHC Art Awards – a showcase for the talents of disabled artists.

High-profile fashion designer Denise L’Estrange-Corbet, from WORLD is returning as judge for the third time, this year teamed up with Dunedin artist Kim Pieters and Wellington photographer/designer Neil Pardington. They will judge entries that traditionally cover everything from sculpture and fibre art, to painting and drawing.

Denise says she finds the artists inspirational. “It shows us that even with a disability, art transcends all boundaries as a means to express oneself in so many different forms, be it painting, drawing or sculptures."

Kim, an abstract artist who has worked in a range of formats from paintings to photographs and music, says it will be reasonably difficult to judge work across different genres, but some works will stand out in any media. “I am especially interested when a distinctive presence comes through in the work.”

Neil says the Art Awards will be a learning experience for him as a judge and he is looking forward to it. “For me art is about great ideas and execution.” He says the winner “will be the work that grabs me – that has an impact when I look at it”. He encourages photographers to enter.

The IHC Art Awards are open to all New Zealanders with an intellectual disability, whether or not they use IHC services. Entries open on Monday 4 June.

The top 30 entries from three regional competitions – 10 finalists from each region ¬–will be exhibited at the Museum Building Tokomaru, Buckle Street, Wellington, from Monday 3 to Thursday 13 September.

The winners are announced on Awards night, Thursday 13 September.

Art works and entry forms must be submitted between Monday 4 June and Monday 2 July 2012. All entries must be in by 4pm, 2 July. The entry form and conditions of entry can be downloaded from the IHC website www.ihcartawards.co.nz

Regional exhibitions:
Wellington: 2–16 August, Dudley Arthouse, Dudley Street, Lower Hutt
Dunedin: 9–16 July, Community Gallery, 26 Princes Street, Dunedin
Hamilton: 23 July–17 August, Sandz Gallery/Studio, Hamilton

The judges

Denise L’Estrange-Corbet
Denise is co-founder and designer of one of New Zealand's top fashion brands, WORLD. Denise is also a published author, a weekly contributor to the New Zealand Herald Canvas magazine, she has a radio slot commenting on fashion and beauty trends, and is a regular public speaker. Celebrating 23 years in business recently, WORLD currently has 10 stand-alone stores. WORLD has shown at the Official Fashion Weeks in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
Denise judged the IHC Art Awards in 2009 and 2010 and, since then, has had a continued interest in artists with intellectual disabilities.

Kim Pieters
Kim Pieters is an artist whose focus is abstract painting. She has for many years also produced photographs, improvisational film and music from her Dunedin studios. Abstraction for her is important because of the possibilities inherent in its openness. Kim views colour and shape and line as indications rather than end points. Her paintings present a range of signs and atmospheres which encourage individual interpretation. At present she is working on a series of paintings called ‘Abraham’s Journey – after Kierkegaard’. Kim is a New Zealander of Dutch/English descent. She started making works in the early ’80s and has been exhibiting in public and dealer galleries since 1989.

Neil Pardington
Neil Pardington's award-winning career as a photographer developed alongside his work as a graphic and exhibition designer. The winner of the 2011 Marti Friedlander Photographic Award, he has participated in many solo and group exhibitions. He has also produced, written and directed a number of short films. Neil divides his time between his art practice and his role as a creative director of the design agency Base Two. Neil studied at Elam School of Fine Arts and the University of Auckland. He lives in Wellington with his wife Amelia Minty and daughter Billie. He is of Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Kati Waewae and Pakeha descent. His The Vault series of photographs, taken in museum and art gallery storerooms, was developed into a major touring exhibition and publication. The Vault is touring throughout New Zealand.

ENDS

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