Vuleka Art Competition 2010

I Long for You by Haidee Nel. (The Conrad Theys prize for the best overall work.)

Vuleka Art Exhibition 2010

Selected works on show at Art.b Gallery until 15 September 2010 Earlier this year, Sanlam withdrew their sole sponsorship for the prestigious Vuleka Art Competition due to economic hardship. The 2010 Vuleka Art Competition would not have been possible without the assistance of generous new sponsors, guaranteeing the continuation of such an excellent art competition. The 2010 sponsors of the Vuleka competition are: South African artist, Conrad Theys, the Cellar Gallery, Vernon John Design, Cold Press Media, Durbanville Hills Wines and Avery Dennison. Vuleka (the Xhosa word for ‘open’) is hosted annually by The Arts Association of Bellville. The competition is open to artists 18 years and older who have not had a solo exhibition during the preceding three years. This year, the prestigious national competition has drawn over 240 entries from across South Africa. While most of the entries were drawn from the Cape Metropole and Boland towns, some travelled from as far as Pretoria, Ceres and Durban. A selection of 43 works is currently on exhibition in the Art.b Gallery in Bellville’s library complex (Carel van Aswegen Street). A wooden and plastic sculptural installation with sound technology, titled I Long for You, by Haidee Nel was judged as the best overall art work and has landed her the R20 000.00 Conrad Theys Prize. Nel has a Fine Art Honours degree from the University of Cape Town and is currently an artist and a sculpture. The prize winner of the Cellar Gallery best oil painting award (R5000.00) was awarded to Dr Andries Gouws for his three oil paintings of everyday objects and interiors titled Grahamstown Residence Room, Painting Cloth and Room with Mirror and Curtains. Alessandro Pappada’s Mechanical Head, a ceramic sculpture won the Cellar Gallery Prize for the best three-dimensional work (R5000.00), while photographer and lecturer Tiaan van Deventer’s work Fallen was awarded the Cellar Gallery Prize for the best work in another medium (R5000.00). This year there were also merit awards of R2000.00 each. The Cold Press Media merit award was awarded to Mari Claase for her fibre work piece titled Global Message. The Vernon John Design merit award was awarded to Janna Prinsloo for her oil painting titled Relocated. Nikita Campbell, the gallery co-ordinator at Art.b is pleased at the number of entries received and the high standard of current works on show, indicating that the Vuleka Art Competition has become nationally recognised as a respected platform for both emerging and established artists. The works received this year are representative of a broad spectrum of cultures and mediums from the traditional to the innovative and conceptual. The 43 works selected for the exhibition are reflective of divergent styles, techniques and media. Works indicating an original concept, strong, individual expression and excellent technical execution were considered for the exhibition. The Vuleka Art Competition is currently ranked third in stature and prestige in national competitions, after Sasol New Signatures and Absa L’Atelier. www.artb.co.za

Grahamstown Residence Room by Andries Gouws. (The Cellar Gallery Prize for best oil painting.)

Room with Mirror and Curtains by Andries Gouws. (The Cellar Gallery Prize for best oil painting.)

Painting Cloth by Andries Gouws. (The Cellar Gallery Prize for best oil painting.)

Mechanical Head by Alessandro Pappada. (The Cellar Gallery Prize for best 3 Dimensional Work.)

Mechanical Head by Alessandro Pappada. (The Cellar Gallery Prize for best 3 Dimensional Work.)

Sculpture with Cogs by Alessandro Pappada. (The Cellar Gallery Prize for best 3 Dimensional Work.)

Fallen by Tiaan van Deventer. (The Cellar Gallery Prize for best work in another medium.)

Global Message by Mari Claase. (Cold Press Media Merit Award.)

Relocated by Janna Prinsloo. (The Vernon John Design Merit Award.)

Relocated by Janna Prinsloo. (The Vernon John Design Merit Award.)

The Opening Night: CORNELL KARSTEN, HAIDEE NEL, ALESSANDRO PAPPASA, TIAAAN VAN DEVENTER, CONRAD THEYS, LINDA PAUWELS, LIAM MOSES.