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!
The Girls' Game of Life
Mary Rouncefield
open category
The Seven Deaths of Woman In the quiet womb Oblivion may strike the female child The ‘wrong’ gender She may end Before she has begun. Undetected. Eventually dispatched. Raining protests into the daylight From stronger lungs Than her brother’s will be. A small girl may continue But is cut and sewn. Stitches of tradition Guarantee obedience. Death lurks amid blood and gore. Surviving thus far, A girl may not choose Where she may love She must submit or die (For honour) Another death awaits her When her own child Must leave her womb. Still a child Wishing herself unborn. Life continues Guarded, ordered and directed. A woman’s home may not be her castle. We do not know What happens here. White-out Extinction guaranteed How many more Would choose That frozen release And end. How can art catalyze change?: Art can present the viewer with a different poit of view and encourage them to think about an issue from a different perspective
The Seven Deaths of Woman In the quiet womb Oblivion may strike the female child The ‘wrong’ gender She may end Before she has begun. Undetected. Eventually dispatched. Raining protests into the daylight From stronger lungs Than her brother’s will be. A small girl may continue But is cut and sewn. Stitches of tradition Guarantee obedience. Death lurks amid blood and gore. Surviving thus far, A girl may not choose Where she may love She must submit or die (For honour) Another death awaits her When her own child Must leave her womb. Still a child Wishing herself unborn. Life continues Guarded, ordered and directed. A woman’s home may not be her castle. We do not know What happens here. White-out Extinction guaranteed How many more Would choose That frozen release And end. How can art catalyze change?: Art can present the viewer with a different poit of view and encourage them to think about an issue from a different perspective