Celebrating Artistic Talent: BE OPEN Art Recognizes Southern Africa's Rising Stars
BE OPEN Art, an online platform designed to uplift and promote emerging artistic talents, has recently concluded its Regional Art Competition focused on the Southern African region. Organized by the BE OPEN think tank — a humanitarian initiative founded by renowned international businesswoman Elena Baturina — this initiative aims to shine a spotlight on the diverse cultural and artistic identities of artists from countries such as Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The competition has been a significant form of support for budding artists, allowing them to gain visibility and encourage wider community engagement. Throughout 2023 and 2024, BE OPEN’s expert panel meticulously selected artists whose work best represents the distinct cultural narratives of their regions. The initiative not only highlights their art but also encourages public interaction through voting, culminating in monthly and regional award selections.
In a remarkable recognition in October, Akissi Beukman, a multidisciplinary artist based in Pretoria, South Africa, was named the Artist of the Month. With a background that combines theater, experimental sound art, and traditional painting, Akissi has a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Rhodes University. Her artistic approach focuses on themes of performativity, exploring how intersecting factors such as gender, race, and socio-political landscapes shape individual identity. By channeling these perspectives into her work, she aims to foster spiritual healing through the transformative power of artistic expression.
November saw the prestigious title go to Aislinn Finnegan, a mixed-media artist who identifies as being of mestizo heritage. Aislinn’s illustrative creations delve into themes of race, identity, and femininity, celebrating aspects of black culture and aesthetics in contrast to conventional Western ideals. Her work serves as a bridge, connecting her personal narrative to broader cultural dialogues.
In December, the spotlight shifted to Natasha Mwila, a digital artist from Lusaka, Zambia. Utilizing mobile digital platforms, Natasha creates powerful, intricate collages that reflect the intricacies of social and political challenges, particularly those faced by marginalized communities. Her artistic intent is to amplify the voices of women and advocate for more inclusive societal structures, showcasing her work as both an empowering tribute to womanhood and a clarion call for equity.
Reflecting on the overall voting results, Aislinn Finnegan was declared the Southern Africa Regional Artist and rewarded with a €500 grant from the foundation. This recognition underscores the platform's commitment to supporting its artistic participants toward achieving sustainable careers.
Looking ahead, BE OPEN Art will expand its competition to include emerging artists from the South Asian region in 2025, including countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. A significant enhancement to the program is the introduction of an additional monetary reward for artists recognized by the founder, which aims to provide essential financial backing in their artistic journey. This initiative emphasizes Baturina's belief that fostering creativity and vision is vital in empowering artists to continue pursuing their passions.
Elena Baturina expresses, ‘We hope these additional resources will serve as a catalyst, empowering our emerging artists to dream, create, and follow their hearts in an ever-evolving arts landscape.’ The initiative engenders hope and serves as an invitation for artists and audiences alike to connect through the power of art, fostering inclusivity and encouraging diverse creative expressions.
The competition has been a significant form of support for budding artists, allowing them to gain visibility and encourage wider community engagement. Throughout 2023 and 2024, BE OPEN’s expert panel meticulously selected artists whose work best represents the distinct cultural narratives of their regions. The initiative not only highlights their art but also encourages public interaction through voting, culminating in monthly and regional award selections.
In a remarkable recognition in October, Akissi Beukman, a multidisciplinary artist based in Pretoria, South Africa, was named the Artist of the Month. With a background that combines theater, experimental sound art, and traditional painting, Akissi has a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Rhodes University. Her artistic approach focuses on themes of performativity, exploring how intersecting factors such as gender, race, and socio-political landscapes shape individual identity. By channeling these perspectives into her work, she aims to foster spiritual healing through the transformative power of artistic expression.
November saw the prestigious title go to Aislinn Finnegan, a mixed-media artist who identifies as being of mestizo heritage. Aislinn’s illustrative creations delve into themes of race, identity, and femininity, celebrating aspects of black culture and aesthetics in contrast to conventional Western ideals. Her work serves as a bridge, connecting her personal narrative to broader cultural dialogues.
In December, the spotlight shifted to Natasha Mwila, a digital artist from Lusaka, Zambia. Utilizing mobile digital platforms, Natasha creates powerful, intricate collages that reflect the intricacies of social and political challenges, particularly those faced by marginalized communities. Her artistic intent is to amplify the voices of women and advocate for more inclusive societal structures, showcasing her work as both an empowering tribute to womanhood and a clarion call for equity.
Reflecting on the overall voting results, Aislinn Finnegan was declared the Southern Africa Regional Artist and rewarded with a €500 grant from the foundation. This recognition underscores the platform's commitment to supporting its artistic participants toward achieving sustainable careers.
Looking ahead, BE OPEN Art will expand its competition to include emerging artists from the South Asian region in 2025, including countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. A significant enhancement to the program is the introduction of an additional monetary reward for artists recognized by the founder, which aims to provide essential financial backing in their artistic journey. This initiative emphasizes Baturina's belief that fostering creativity and vision is vital in empowering artists to continue pursuing their passions.
Elena Baturina expresses, ‘We hope these additional resources will serve as a catalyst, empowering our emerging artists to dream, create, and follow their hearts in an ever-evolving arts landscape.’ The initiative engenders hope and serves as an invitation for artists and audiences alike to connect through the power of art, fostering inclusivity and encouraging diverse creative expressions.
Topics Entertainment & Media）
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