Full Art Prize expected to open new horizons for young artists

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

Bilge Örer

A new art prize will give budding artists a platform to publicize their work and the opportunity to gain recognition within the art scene.

The Full Art Prize, supported by Ar Company Group, aims to open new pathways for young artists under the age of 40. News of the prize was announced during a press conference Dec. 22. Speaking at the event, Ar Company Group CEO Hüseyin Arslan said the award aimed at building awareness around contemporary art and contemporary artists while supporting the creations of young artists in long-term projects. The prize carries with it 25,000 Turkish Liras for the winning artist.

Jury of expert names
The jury consists of art collectors, curators, art critics, artists and art directors, including critic Evrim Altuğ, artist Gülsün Karamustafa, director of Biennial Bige Örer, curator and director of SALT contemporary art venue Vasıf Kortun and CEO of Borusan Agah Uğur. In the final stages of the competition, a total of 10 finalists will be left competing to win the big prize.

“Our only aim is to make this project a sustainable one,” said Arslan. The prize will help young artists under the age of 40 to gain recognition across the international art scene, he added. “This will be Turkey’s first contemporary art prize.”

Applications will be accepted from Jan. 1, 2012 and artists can apply online at www.fullartprize.org through April 1, 2012. The winning artist will exhibit his or her work in October next year. In addition to the main prize awarded by the judging panel, there will also be a public vote, with the winning artist in this category receiving 5,000 Turkish Liras.

There does not need to be a significant overall concept for the works submitted, said Project Manager Öykü Özsoy. “Applications should be made with a portfolio of 10 works,” she said. It is possible to enter the competition with video, installation, photography and painting. The prize will be given for creative and interesting works.

The partner space for the project is the Pilot Contemporary Art Gallery.

Özsoy said the jury had been selected with care and the project had invested importance in choosing the jury. “We have brought together an artist, curator, art critic and a collector on purpose…These are very important names within the art scene,” said Özsoy. “Our aim is not only to support artists in the short term but also give them support in the long term.”