Fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar Singapore is organising the inaugural Harper's Bazaar Art Prize this year in conjunction with Robinsons retail store.
Aimed at discovering "emerging artists", it is open to everyone aged 16 and older who are residing here, are not represented by a gallery and have not sold works commercially. In addition, submitted artworks must not have been previously exhibited in public, except at graduation shows.
The winner will receive $10,000 cash and a three-week opportunity in January to exhibit and sell his works at Robinsons.
Submissions are accepted in any of four categories: ink on paper, oil on canvas, photography and sculpture. This year's theme is "Uniquely Asian" and the deadline for submission is Oct 23. The winner will be announced in the January issue of Harper's Bazaar, which hits newsstands in mid-December.
In a press release, the fashion monthly's editor-in-chief Kenneth Goh says: "Harper's Bazaar Singapore has always had a longstanding tradition of seeking out, and nurturing, new creative talents. This competition stays true to that spirit by providing emerging artists an opportunity to showcase their abilities, and to take their vision to the next level."
The prize joins an increasing number of visual arts competitions held here. Recent additions to the scene, such as the Asian Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize (established 2008) and the Prudential Eye Awards (2014), have emerged alongside more established ones as the UOB Painting of the Year, which has run locally for decades.
The organisers plan for the new competition to be held annually.
This year's Harper's Bazaar Art Prize will be judged by a panel comprising Mr Goh; Mr Christophe Cann, managing director of Robinsons Group; Mr Lorenzo Rudolf, founder and director of Art Stage Singapore; Ms Bala Starr, director of Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore; Ms Hazel Lim, fine arts programme leader at Lasalle College of the Arts; and Ms Susie Lingham, director of Singapore Art Museum.
For details and submission form, go to www.harpersbazaar.com.sg/10691/get-creative-with-bazaar-art-prize-2015/.
