- Standard Bank young artist award for Visual Art: Mikhael Subotzky
Photo by Suzy Bernstein
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.
- Standard Bank young artist award for Jazz: Afrika Mkhize
Photo by Suzy Bernstein
Durban-born 2012 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for Jazz Afrika Mkhize
started playing the piano at the age of six.
“I was surrounded by music at birth and never stopped loving it,” said Mkhize about
his journey into jazz. “To win this award simply means that some individuals have
been watching me for a number of years. This also means that there is appreciation
for my work. My expectation is to continue working with confidence, since I now
know that there is positive support,” he added.
- Standard Bank young artist award for Dance: Bailey Snyman
Photo by Suzy Bernstein
Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for Dance 2012 Bailey Snyman (33) grew up
in Kimberley in the Northern Cape. From a very young age he knew that he wanted
to spend his life on the stage and to pursue his vision of how the arts can potentially
challenge perceptions and ideologies.
“I expect this award to provide me with the platform to produce a body of work that
will be well recognised and will help shape an exciting future for me in dance theatre
in South Africa,’” said Snyman. “I also hope that this award will provide me with
an opportunity to have complete creative and conceptual freedom,” he added.
- Standard Bank young artist award for Theatre: Princess Zinzi Mhlongo
Photo by Suzy Bernstein
The Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for Theatre 2012 is the spunky actress/writer/director
Princess Zinzi Mhlongo (25).
“Andrew Buckland, Mbongeni Ngema, Paul Grootboom, Ntshieng Mokgoro are just a few
names of the people who have received this award in previous years. To be added
to that list is such an honour. It reassures me that I am going in the right direction,”
said Mhlongo about winning this year.
- Standard Bank young artist award for Music: Kelebogile Boikanyo
Photo by Suzy Bernstein
Kelebogile (Pearl) Boikanyo’s (24) rise in the South African opera world has been
nothing short of remarkable. This year, she hits another high note with winning
the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Music 2012.
“This award means a lot to me, obviously because I am young and I am excited to
be recognised in my own country. I love what I do and, it also keeps me on the right
track,” said Boikanyo. “I am confident that with enough hard work, I will have a
bright future. When I am on stage, it is because I love what I do and I do it with
passion. I do not expecting any recognition, but this award tell me that people
realise and appreciate good arts,” she added.