Wave of the future
MANILA, Philippines - The Ateneo Art Awards, now in its sixth year, has become an institution in the local art scene. First presented in 2004 in memory of the Ateneo Art Gallery’s founding patron Fernando Zobel de Ayala, the awards has since grown to become a voice of authority in Philippine contemporary art. Recognized internationally, and known locally as one of the most coveted contemporary art prizes in the country, it is given to three outstanding Filipino artists aged 35 and below who have made a significant mark on contemporary Philippine art.
The Gallery is now accepting nominations for the Awards’ sixth outing, entitled “The Next Wave.” Nominations for the 2009 Ateneo Art Awards will be accepted starting today until June 1, 5 p.m.
Aptly named, the 2009 Ateneo Art Awards promises to be another milestone in Philippine art history as it recognizes the idealism, verve and promise of Filipino youth, and celebrates the awe-inspiring brilliance of their creative imagination.
Artists may be nominated for works in a solo or group exhibition held in any public venue from May 2, 2008 to May 1, 2009. The nominator must be a current or former member of the jury, a public gallery director or curator (commercial and non-commercial), independent curator, professional visual artist (must have participated in at least one solo or group exhibition in a public venue), art administrator, art journalist, or an art educator residing in the Philippines.
Fumio Nanjo, director of the Mori Art Museum, among other accomplishments, joins this year’s panel of judges, which also includes Ramon E.S. Lerma, director and chief curator of the Ateneo Art Gallery; Fr. Rene Javellana, professor in the fine arts program of Ateneo and Florentina P. Colayco, dean of UP Diliman’s College of Fine Arts.
The winners will be announced in a ceremony to be held Aug. 13 at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, subsequent to an exhibition of their works with the other short-listed artists. The Awards is presented by the Ateneo Art Gallery in association with Shangri-La Plaza, Unionbank, YStyle of the Philippine STAR, Metro Society and is sponsored by Smart Communications and the Lifestyle Network.
For more information visit http://gallery.ateneo.edu or contact Amanda Legasto, 2009 Ateneo Art Awards project coordinator, at 426-6488 or e-mail alegasto@ateneo.edu.
