Mikhael Subotzky (30) is a man of few public words. The 2012 Standard Bank Young
Artist Award winner for Visual Art prefers to let his striking photographs do the
talking.
“It is a great honour. I am very grateful for the opportunity and honored to follow
in the footsteps of the artists who have previously been given the award,” said
Subotzky.
Subotzky was born in Cape Town, and is currently based in Johannesburg. His work
has been exhibited widely in major galleries and museums, and his prints are in
the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum,
London, the South African National Gallery, Cape Town, the Johannesburg Art Gallery,
and FOAM (FotoMuseum Amsterdam).
“Mikhael Subotzky's technical, aesthetic and academic explorations have seen him
become one of the world's exciting photographers,” said Brenton Maart, National
Arts Festival committee member for Visual Art. “He uses photography to make images
that are both nuanced constructions of colour and light, and also scholarly studies
of the peculiarities of South African communities. The young artist establishes
the boundaries of his subject matter and, within these confines, delves into fraught
and loaded social spaces,” Maart added.
When asked what audiences can expect from Mikhael Subotzky in Grahamstown next year,
the response was a mysterious: “A few surprises.”
About the Standard bank Young Artist Awards
The Young Artist Awards were started in 1981 by the National Arts Festival to
acknowledge emerging, relatively young South African artists who have displayed
an outstanding talent in their artistic endeavours. These prestigious awards are
presented annually to deserving artists in different disciplines, affording them
national exposure and acclaim. Standard Bank took over the sponsorship of the awards
in 1984 and presented Young Artist Awards in all the major arts disciplines over
their 25-year sponsorship, as well as posthumous and special recognition awards.
The winners feature on the main programme of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown
and receive financial support for their Festival participation, as well as a cash
prize.
Standard Bank Gallery:
Corner Simmonds and Frederick Street, Johannesburg
Tel: 011 6311889
Gallery hours: Mon - Fri 08:00 to 16:30, Saturdays 09:00 to 13:00
The gallery is closed on Sundays and public holidays
Admission free
Free parking is available - entrance in Harrison Street, Johannesburg.