Vosloorus artist scoops Thami Mnyele Fine Arts Awards top prize
Artistic talents were honoured at the 30th installment of the Thami Mnyele Fine Arts Awards.
Muntu Vilakazi from Vosloorus stole the show when he clinched the coveted top price of the night.
Beaming with pride, Vilakazi claimed the number one spot, pocketing R60 000 for his work titled (triptych) 1. “Imvuselelo 2. Inkonzo 3. Uhambo” medium Photography.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to showcase my talent. I have never thought my work would be recognized as I always believed that there were better artists than me,” said Vilakazi.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Services Dora Mlambo congratulated all participants, encouraging them to continue honing their skills in the art space.
“Never stop perfecting your artworks because you will never know who is watching you. As the city, we pledge to continue to support this programme until it is internationally recognized,” said Mlambo.
MMC Mlambo handed over the Ekurhuleni prize worth R40 000.00 to Lindokuhle Zwane from Benoni Kingsway for a work titled “Imithetho Kababou” (My Father and Them), medium charcoal and acrylic on fabriano.
The Multi and New Media / Photography Merit Award was awarded to Manyatsa Monyamane from Johannesburg, Lombardy West for the work titled “Vusi Mkhube” medium archival print on felix schoeller.
The Art on Paper Merit Award was awarded to Sarah Hunkin from Johannesburg, Newlands for a work titled “Taxi” 2017 and “Joubert Park” 2017 medium Linocut on fabriano paper.
The Painting Merit Award was awarded to Haifeng Xuan from Johannesburg, Midrand, titled “Still Life – Johannesburg” medium oil on canvas.
The Sculpture Merit Award was awarded to Vivien Kohler from Centurion titled “FRGL” medium pigment, spray paint and oil.
The winner for the 2017 Lizamore & Associates Mentorship Programme Solo Exhibition prize was won by Manyatsa Monyamane. She is also the winner of the Multi & New Media Merit Award.
The Thami Mnyele art exhibition may be viewed by the public free of charge at the Coen Scholtz Recreation Centre in Kempton Park from September 24 until October 15, daily including weekends from 8am to 4pm.
