Jewellery wins big at PPC Imaginarium Awards
JOBURG – A young ring designer was the Overall Winner of the PPC Imaginarium Awards which took place at the University of Johannesburg Art Gallery in Auckland Park on 3 March.
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The PPC Imaginarium Awards is the country’s most supportive art and design competition for emerging creative souls. This year, it was a pair of tinted cement rings made by Mignon Daubermann that caught the eye of the judges, earning their creator an incredible R150 000 prize and the title of Overall Winner of the 2015/2016 PPC Imaginarium Awards.
The rings were set with magnificent gemstones and shaped into organic forms inspired by human bones. “The inspiration plays on the idea that both concrete and bones are resilient as well as fundamental for the strength of the entire physical entity – be it a human body or structure. Concrete and bones have long-lasting characteristics; they are usually what is left behind after the outer shell is gone,” Daubermann was quoted saying on the PPC Imaginarium website.
“The concrete framework from an abandoned structure and the bones of a deceased body can still tell their story long after everything else has disappeared.”
Her pieces first shone their way to the top after being selected as a finalist out of 660 entries, and then going on to win the Jewellery Category prize before winning her the grand title. Her entry competed against four other category winners across the disciplines of Film, Industrial Design, Fashion and Sculpture – there was no Architecture Category winner this year.
The fashion lines are beautiful @PPCImaginarium gala dinner. Can you believe all dresses have a touch of cement… pic.twitter.com/SpZdPxIpOM
— PurelyLocalJN (@PurelyLocalJN) March 3, 2016
Some of the sculpture pieces at the @PPCImaginarium the talent and efforts are truly remarkable. pic.twitter.com/2OkZa3jfd1
— PurelyLocalJN (@PurelyLocalJN) March 3, 2016
Daniel van der Merwe, resident architect, respected academic and the brains behind the awards stated, “We would like to extend our congratulations to Mignon Daubermann for exceeding the expectations of concrete in such a captivating way with these pieces of wearable art.”
The awards challenge its entrants to innovate with cement and use concrete as a medium of expression. The PPC Imaginarium also offers mentorship and exposure opportunities, alongside the cash prize, in the hope of jump-starting the careers and creativity of its entrants.
The PPC Imaginarium exhibition will be at the UJ Art Gallery until 26 March, and at the Pretoria Arts Association from 1 to 12 April.
Details: www.ppcimaginarium.co.za