The Open Call for the Social Art Award 2019 under the topic “We are the People – Peaceful Revolutions” was closed on December 15, 2019. We are very impressed by 558 submissions that were contributed by artists coming from 65 countries across all continents.
The winners of The Social Art Award 2019 are Narcissa Gold (USA), Melinda Mouzannar (Lebanon) and Bogna Grazyna Jaroslawski (Poland/Germany). The Honorary Mention goes to Kingson Kin Sing Chan (Hong Kong/UK).
Below you find the artworks, that passed the initial jury round. The public voting took place till 30 December and is a tool to give more public visibility to the topic and the artworks. It does not replace the final jury judgment. There were two wildcards for the most voted artworks that entered the final shortlist.
The focus diversity of applications shows that artists are active in the multi-faceted fields of socially engaged art reflecting on wars, genocides, femicides, traumata, violence against refugees, children, women, men, disabled people, LGBTIQs, animals. They share feelings for the planet and its living species, but also showing hopelessness due to complex crises be it climate change (e.g. in regard to water pollution), capitalism, corruption, a violation against human rights, nature, protected national parks. Many of the artists are constantly trying to give a voice to the poorest or empower unheard social groups.
It’s not only about peaceful revolutions, but it’s also about feeling a deep connection and showing love and respect for each other.
Thank you all for sharing your great and inspirational work and look at all the great contributions!
Life on the Other Side
Folake Abass
open category
The attached photo is from a recent solo exhibition with the theme based around the "Have's" and "Have nots". The photo was taken in a slum in Lagos and the poverty that exists among the various communities that live there, is acute and a stark manifestation of the profound income disparity that exists across Lagos. Despite it all, this young man believes in the future as he knows there is more to the life he is currently living. As such, he looks assuredly to the possibility of a bright future. How can art catalyze change?: If the art speaks to you, if you are able to understand the concept of an artist and in so doing see their vision, then you are now aware of the message that the artist wanted to convey. And with that awareness, you can move mountains, if you want to.
The attached photo is from a recent solo exhibition with the theme based around the "Have's" and "Have nots". The photo was taken in a slum in Lagos and the poverty that exists among the various communities that live there, is acute and a stark manifestation of the profound income disparity that exists across Lagos. Despite it all, this young man believes in the future as he knows there is more to the life he is currently living. As such, he looks assuredly to the possibility of a bright future. How can art catalyze change?: If the art speaks to you, if you are able to understand the concept of an artist and in so doing see their vision, then you are now aware of the message that the artist wanted to convey. And with that awareness, you can move mountains, if you want to.