Calling all art lovers

In its second edition, The Skoda Prize is calling out to all upcoming artists from the state to take away the top prize this time

Calling all art lovers

In its second edition, The Skoda Prize is calling out to all upcoming artists from the state to take away the top prize this time

The art history of Karnataka has been known for its rich traditional motifs and themes, but the state is now witnessing an emergence of a new breed of contemporary artists. And with The Skoda Prize, an award given out to recognise emerging contemporary artists in the country by the Swiss Arts Council coming up next month, artists will get yet another platform to showcase their talent globally.

Flying High: Karnataka-based Kiran Subbaiah's Fly was one among the
three entries shortlisted for the Skoda Prize 2010.

In its first edition in 2010, The Skoda Prize had many artists from Karnataka sending in their entries. This year too, inviting entries from across the state, the head of the Advisory Committee of The Skoda Prize, Girish Shahane throws light on the awards and the talent emerging from the state. "Bangalore produces many interesting young artists and is also a magnet for talent from other regions. So, Bangalore is one of the three most important cities for art today, alongside Delhi and Mumbai," says Girish. The winner stands a chance to take away a cash award of R10 lakh and the two runners up get to spend four-weeks in Switzerland, courtesy the award

While there is a strong base of artists who deal with traditional themes and styles, the new age contemporary artists co-exist in the city too. "In every city there is a relatively conservative faction that produces paintings and sculptures in conventional genres. And there is a more cosmopolitan, outward looking group of artists which is interested in exploring new materials and forms. This prize highlights the work of the second group," Shahane explains.

Each participating artist is supposed to send in their exhibits and any other presentation of their body of work produced in the twelve months preceding the award. With the focus being on young, up and coming artists, the event ought to be a good launch pad for this base of artists, claims Girish. "Since The Skoda Prize judges individual solo shows rather than the entire output of applicants, it levels the playing field between established artists and newcomers. Young artists such as Hemali Bhuta, Shine Shivan, Sakshi Gupta and Mansi Bhatt featured in our top 20 list last year. It was definitely a big boost to them to be selected. Maybe this year a young, relatively unknown artist will go all the way and win the prize," says Girish.
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Karnataka finds its place in the sun
The first edition of this prestigious award saw two young Karnataka-based artists finding their hold in the industry, after being adjudged the final two over others. With the entries closing in the first week of August this week, Girish advices the artists to document their works thoroughly, before sending them in. "The jurors cannot see every show in the country. So their judgement is made on the basis of images sent by applicants. Hence I would advice participating artists to document their work thoroughly," says Girish. Artists can enter their nominations for the prize based on guidelines given on the official website, www.theskodaprize.com. For artists with an interesting take on anything under the sun, here's your chance to make it big.