FAIZ ART PRIZE 2011

Nothing really ever happens here regarding healthy art competitions and collaborations on a big scale. Unless it’s sponsored by environmentally destructive and unethical oil companies or other such cut-throat ventures. So here’s some friendly itty bitty leftist excitement across the old not-so-friendly neighbours. (however you don’t have to think left to qualify, I’m sure)

Calling all artists.You all know that countless people across Pakistan, India and the world are celebrating Faiz‘s 100th birthday. So then, why don’t you have a look at the Nukta Art Call details listed below, roll up your sleeves, drink a jugful of some red leftist, and jump into this fantastic sounding competition. It might not give you the liberty to do all that you’d like to do, but it’s a competition for the masses with the lure of the great Faiz. Here’s wishing Faiz a happy birthday (…and also praying that water and destruction lands on your art piece you suckers, while mine makes it to the million dollar prize. or something to that effect.)

Do it do it do it. Don’t be lazy.

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Faiz Art Prize, 2011: NuktaArt Magazine’s Open Call for Artists’ Entries

Background

As part of the legendary poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s centenary celebrations in 2011, being held around the globe, NuktaArt magazine is pleased to announce the Faiz Art Prize, 2011. This coveted prize is organized by NuktaArt magazine under the umbrella of the Progressive Writers’ Association, in collaboration with the Geo Television network and its Aman ki Aasha project (Pak-Indo peace project).

Aim

This project aims to bring the collective expression of about 2000 artists in an exhibition at a public venue in Karachi. “Artists’ Messages to Faiz” will provide a visual and creative dimension to the poetry of Faiz, as artists from both Pakistan and India come together, the great poet’s message of peace for the world will be carried forth. Entries will be auctioned on the exhibition day, for which a high media profile will be arranged through Geo TV, partner of the project. All remaining entries will also be sold, and the funds collected from the sales of all the Pakistani as well as Indian artists’ works will be used towards rehabilitating a Potters’ village in southern Punjab, in which the traditional potters have lost their homes and belongings.  Geo TV will provide coverage of the reconstruction process and highlight the potters’ craft of this area.

Who can apply?

Practicing artists in South Asia can apply, and also those of the same origins worldwide.

Art students from the two countries are also eligible to participate. There is a limitation of one postcard per person.

Guidelines for artwork

Artists will be able to collect postcards (A4 size) especially designed for this Prize by the NuktaArt magazine. Artists are asked to work with the title “Aap ka Paighaam, Faiz kay Naam.”

The postcard is designed so that ¾ space is allocated to the image and the rest can be used for a text message. However, this is a rough guideline, and artists should feel free to use the space according to their artistic sensibilities, to invert or redistribute the text/image ratio. Due to the nature of the Prize whose primary context is borne from texts, artists are asked to write a message for Faiz. The interpretation can be just words or any other relationship the artists would like to address.  The jury will be asked to give priority to art work that is innovative and out of the box in its approach.

Only the postcards that are distributed by the organizers of this project will be considered for the Prize, exhibition, catalogue and publicity. Any other works will be unacceptable. The organizers do not take responsibility for entries that are not accepted due to wear and tear during transportation from the artists to the organizers, or for returning entries back to the artist or institution.

Deadline for entry

All artwork must reach the assigned delivery points in your area no later then:  Tuesday 6th June 2011

(No entries will be accepted after this date.)

Venues for entry pick and drop

Karachi: VM Art Gallery, Rangoonwala Centre, Dhoraji Colony / Chawkandi Art, Schon Circle, Clifton.

Lahore: BNU University / NCA, Mall Road / Rohtas 2 Gallery / Al-Hamra Art Gallery

Rawalpindi / Islamabad: National Art Gallery / KhaasArt / NCA Rawalpindi Campus

Peshawar: Chairperson, Dept of Fine Arts, University of Peshawar, Peshawar

Quetta: Chairperson, Dept of Fine Arts, University of Balochistan, Quetta

All other entries to be sent directly to: NuktaArt (c/o Rumana Husain) 76/2, 12th Street, off Khayaban-e-Badar, Phase 6, DHA, Karachi – 75500. Phone: (92-21) 35843257, 35843462

All packages to be marked FAIZ ART PRIZE

(postage charges to be prepaid by the artist)

Prize Categories

Practicing artists: The three outstanding entries by practicing artists, selected by a team of jurors, will be presented with the Faiz Art Prize, 2011.  This is an exceptional prize in terms of its value because it is the original art work of a well known artist of Pakistan. The identity of the artist will be revealed at the time of the prize.

Art college students: One most outstanding entry will receive a sum of Rs 50,000 and four other entries by art college students, from South Asia, will receive prizes of Pak Rs. 25,000 each.

All entries that are received on time and exhibited will be documented in a catalogue.

Download the Entry Form (PDF, 36 KB)