Art Awards Attract Hundreds Of Entries

Media release from IHC NZ Inc and Telecom NZ

Monday 30 April 2007 For immediate media release

Art Awards Attract Hundreds Of Entries

The popularity of the IHC Telecom Art Awards continues, with around 600 entries from people with intellectual disabilities all over New Zealand in this year's awards.

This is the fourth year that the awards have been held and the number of entries continues to increase.

IHC Chief Executive Ralph Jones says that the IHC Telecom Art Awards have become an established feature in New Zealand's art scene.

"These are the only awards in New Zealand for people with intellectual disabilities. We are noticing that this year the voice of the artist is coming through more powerfully. The awards are giving artists a confidence in their art and in themselves.

"We know that some artists with intellectual disabilities work towards these awards all year. For others it has been a stepping stone to a successful career and they have commissions and purchasers lined up."

The standing of the IHC Telecom Awards is also reflected in this year's judging panel – artists Gavin Chilcott, Laurence Fearnley and Denys Watkins. They will select 30 artworks from the 600 initial entries for a national exhibition at the Auckland Museum from 10 July to early September.

• Gavin Chilcott studied at the Auckland University School of Fine Arts. He paints with acrylic and also creates ceramics, sculpture and design of such disparate items as furniture, pottery and rugs.

• Laurence Fearnley is a fiction writer and curator who has written extensively on New Zealand craft artists.

• Denys Watkins is an artist and senior lecturer at the Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University.

Judge Denys Watkins said that he was pleased to be involved in this year's IHC Telecom Art Awards because outsider art is now becoming a recognised art genre that attracts the interest of both art students and art collectors.

The 30 finalists' artworks to be exhibited at Auckland Museum will comprise ten finalists chosen from each of three regions around New Zealand (Upper North, Lower North and the South Island). The regional judging will take place at the following venues:

Region Date Gallery Judge Northern Wednesday 9 May SANDZ Gallery, 6 Kent St, Hamilton Denys Watkins Central Tuesday 8 May Alpha Art Studio, 3-5 Alpha St, Wellington Gavin Chilcott Southern Tuesday 8 May IDEA Services, 200 Cashel Street, Christchurch Laurence Fearnley

Members of the public can view the artworks at these centres on weekdays between 10am and 3pm until Friday 8 June.

The 30 regional finalists will be announced on Friday 11 May with the overall winners of the IHC Telecom Art Awards to be announced at a national Awards function and auction at Auckland Museum on 9 July.

The IHC Telecom Art Awards are part of Telecom's Community Connection sponsorship programme which provides voluntary welfare and charitable organisations with up to $5 million in support each year. In 2005, Telecom's support of the IHC Telecom Art Awards won a NZ Sponsorship Award.

ENDS

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