Muntu Vilakazi from Vosloorus stole the show when he clinched the coveted top prize of the night.
Beaming with pride, Vilakazi claimed the number one spot, pocketing R60 000 for his work – a triptych comprising three photographic images titled Imvuselelo, Inkonzo, Uhambo.
Vilakazi said “I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase my talent. I never thought my work would be recognised as I always believed that there were better artists than me,” said Vilakazi.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Services Clr Dora Mlambo congratulated all participants and encouraged them to continue honing their skills in the art space.
This is what she had to say: “Never stop perfecting your artworks because you will never know who is watching you. We pledge to continue to support this programme until it is internationally recognised,” said Mlambo.
MMC Mlambo handed over the Ekurhuleni prize worth R40 000 to Lindokuhle Zwane from Benoni Kingsway for a work titled Imithetho Kababou (My Father and Them). The medium for this creation was 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 – an archival print on Felix Schoeller.
Another award named The Art on Paper Merit Award was awarded to Sarah Hunkin from Johannesburg, Newlands for a work titled Taxi 2017 and Joubert Park 2017. The medium is linocut on fabriano paper.
The Painting Merit Award was awarded to Haifeng Xuan from Johannesburg, Midrand, for his oil on canvas painting Still Life – Johannesburg.
The Sculpture Merit Award was awarded to Vivien Kohler from Centurion titled FRGL. The medium was pigment, spray paint and oil.
The winner for the 2017 Lizamore and Associates Mentorship Programme Solo Exhibition prize was won by Manyatsa Monyamane. She is also the winner of the Multi and 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 – 4pm.
