#BE OPEN #Switzerland #Lugano #Akissi Beukman #Aislinn Finnegan

Celebrating the Artistic Voices of Southern Africa

BE OPEN Art has recently concluded its Regional Art Competition for Southern Africa, a significant cultural initiative that aims to uplift and showcase emerging artists from countries including Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Founded by Austrian entrepreneur and philanthropist Elena Baturina, BE OPEN Art provides a vital platform for artists to exhibit their work and express their cultural identities.

The competition ran through 2023 and 2024, encouraging the public to participate in voting for their favorite artists. The engagement not only helps artists gain visibility but also fosters a sense of community involvement in the arts. Each month, the artists with the highest votes were honored as the Artist of the Month, receiving grants to support their creative endeavors.

October's Star: Akissi Beukman

October saw Pretoria-based artist Akissi Beukman take the spotlight as the Artist of the Month. An alumnus of Rhodes University, Beukman's artwork spans performance art, experimental sound, and painting, reflecting deeply on themes such as gender, race, and the political climate of South Africa. Her approach emphasizes the transformative nature of artistic expression as a form of spiritual healing. Notably, Beukman was also recognized as the personal favorite of the Founder in the Southern African region.

November's Highlight: Aislinn Finnegan

In November, the title was awarded to Aislinn Finnegan, who identifies as a mixed-media artist with a rich mixed-race heritage. Her illustrations poignantly explore the intersections of race, identity, and femininity. Finnegan’s work serves to celebrate and articulate aspects of black culture amid a predominantly Western-centered art scene, conveying powerful messages about identity and representation. As a reward for her contributions, she was selected as the Artist of the Region, solidifying her voice in the competitive narrative of contemporary art in Southern Africa.

December's Focus: Natasha Mwila

December recognized Natasha Mwila, a digital artist from Lusaka, Zambia, who blends her African heritage into captivating collage art. Mwila's work shines a light on the social and political complexities faced by marginalized communities, particularly women. Her art empowers voices often silenced and fosters a dialogue around inclusivity and equity in artistic expressions.

A Commitment to Growth

With Aislinn Finnegan leading the regional champions, BE OPEN Art awarded her a €500 grant to further her artistic journey. The program is set to expand into South Asia in 2025, covering countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. This upcoming phase includes a new initiative where the artist who receives recognition from the Founder will also earn a monetary prize, enhancing the support for emerging talents.

Elena Baturina emphasizes the importance of such initiatives, stating, "We hope that these additional resources will support our emerging artists in their continued pursuit of a successful career in the arts. We want to empower artists to keep dreaming, to keep creating, and to keep following their hearts."

This ongoing celebration of cultural exploration and artistic growth not only enriches the artists' communities but also the broader art landscape, fostering connections that transcend geographical boundaries.

In a world where representation matters more than ever, such initiatives contribute significantly to the global dialogue on identity, culture, and artistic expression.