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!
Joseph the Wise (Video)
Alex Cepile
open category
I've met the englishman Joseph in Matera, Italy around 2014. He lived in one of the innumerous abandoned caves of the area with his 2 dogs and juggled for tourists in the streets to make a living. He told me he was stuck there because he has lost all his documents and couldn't go back to England but I've sensed he liked the southern italian weather and simple life. When I went back in 2016 to work as a video maker for Matera 2019 Cultural European Capital, we became closer and after work I often would sit with him to have a drink and chat a little. This video is part of one of these nights. Unfortunately, the plastic people from Matera kicked him out of town shortly after this. Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27GL752rsd4&t=33s How can art catalyze change?: By peeling off truth's protective layers. Proposed as symbol.
I've met the englishman Joseph in Matera, Italy around 2014. He lived in one of the innumerous abandoned caves of the area with his 2 dogs and juggled for tourists in the streets to make a living. He told me he was stuck there because he has lost all his documents and couldn't go back to England but I've sensed he liked the southern italian weather and simple life. When I went back in 2016 to work as a video maker for Matera 2019 Cultural European Capital, we became closer and after work I often would sit with him to have a drink and chat a little. This video is part of one of these nights. Unfortunately, the plastic people from Matera kicked him out of town shortly after this. Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27GL752rsd4&t=33s How can art catalyze change?: By peeling off truth's protective layers. Proposed as symbol.