The South African Taxi Foundation is sponsoring a competition for emerging artists to design a decal for minibus taxis that will then take art to the people.
The South African Taxi Foundation is sponsoring a competition for emerging artists to design a decal for minibus taxis that will then take art to the people.
The art award is aimed at artists older than 21 years who have not yet had a solo exhibition.
Entrants must produce an original work informed by the idea of ‘destination' and interpret it for the design of a wrap-around decal on a minibus taxi.
The work will be taken to the streets on the taxis, where it will be accessible to a larger audience.
“During the past several years at SA Taxi, we have made a point of acquiring the works of South African artists that represent the social and cultural milieu in which the taxi industry operates,” Taxi Foundation director Kalnisha Singh said in a media statement.
Singh said that unlike most art competitions, which focus exclusively on the quality of the artwork, this competition asks adjudicators to look at both the original artwork and the success of the interpreted design because many artists and creatives find employment through commissioned work and in advertising and marketing agencies.
“In both cases, the ability to interpret a client’s brief is essential,” Singh said.
The work of the winner and five finalists will be displayed as decals on 10 taxis for six months. Sixty taxis will, therefore, function as mobile galleries, taking art to the people.
SA Taxi finances 23 000 of South Africa’s 200 000 minibus taxis and, therefore, can provide access for the artists whose work will be displayed to 40% of the country’s commuter population.
Each of the six winners will receive prizes worth in excess of R600 000 each, including a portion in cash.
The SA Taxi Foundation is partnering with the Lizamore & Associates Gallery in Johannesburg, where a juried selection of works from entrants will be displayed in April 2015.
A catalogue of all the works will be produced.
Entrants must be South African citizens or legally resident in the country.
For more information visit: http://www.sataxiartaward.co.za
