THE 2013 ŠKODA PRIZE SHOW OPENS

January 15, 2013

THE 2013 ŠKODA PRIZE SHOW OPENS
in collaboration with
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART
Jaipur House, India Gate, New Delhi – 110003 India
Ph: 011 – 23386111 / 4640 Ext 216
email: ngma.delhi@gmail.com
10 am – 5 pm. Open Tuesday to Sunday. Close on Mondays and National Holidays
Press Preview: 29th January 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
Public days: 30th january 2013 onwards
The winner of the 2013 Škoda Prize will be unveiled at a private awards ceremony on
1st February 2013 at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi.
15 January 2013, New Delhi: The National Gallery of Modern Art and the Škoda Prize for Indian Contemporary Art are delighted to announce the opening of the 2013 Škoda Prize Show at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi on 30th January 2013 (Press Preview on 29th January 2013).
The Škoda Prize Show will present a selection of works, curated by Girish Shahane (Director of Art –the Škoda Prize) from the 2013 Škoda Prize Top 20 finalists, showcasing some of the most exciting, and groundbreaking solo exhibitions by mid-career artists (under the age of 45) presented in India in the year 2012. Now in its third year, The Škoda Prize for Indian Contemporary Art, has earned a place as one of the most influential platforms for Indian contemporary art, recognising contemporary art practices that demonstrate a highly innovative use of form and material, as well as a mature engagement with contemporary culture.
The Škoda Prize Show is a rare occasion for audiences in India to experience some of the most impactful and cutting edge art practices that have been showcased in private and public arts institutions across the country over the past year. The annual exhibition has seen footfalls in the thousands over the past three years. The inclusion of the Škoda Prize Show in the prestigious programme of the National Gallery of Modern Art marks a high point in Delhi’s vibrant cultural calendar this winter, drawing the nation’s attention, and the global art community, to some of the most significant developments in contemporary art in India today.
“I believe that The Skoda Prize truly presents and supports the art of the “New Generation”. These are essentially artists who have emerged in the 1990s in India presenting their own practice by portraying the reality that they have experienced and depicting strongly their concerns as individuals. Art can no longer be compartmentalized into painting, sculpture, print making etc. Art is now breaking all previously laid out barriers and has diversified into a multitude of media such as installation art, video art, performance art, conceptual art and the new buzz of media art. These too have evolved and developed over a period of time. The artists have chosen to break away from the mould of the existing art practices and have given birth to new approaches and genres in art previously not experienced and contrary to the popular belief contributing greatly to the value and the unconventional mode. I am truly delighted that the National Gallery of Modern Art. New Delhi, Ministry of Culture, Government of India is presenting the Skoda Prize Show. I am equally pleased that The Skoda Prize has established itself as a prestigious award for visual arts and it has evolved as a much awaited contemporary art exhibition in India.” – Prof. Rajeev Lochan (Director of the NGMA, New Delhi)
A winner will be selected from the Top 4 finalists in the running for the 2013 Škoda Prize (announced in November 2012), and will receive a cash prize of INR 10,00,000. Selections for the prize are submitted by an esteemed jury including art historian, Geeta Kapur, Director of the Devi Art Foundation, Anupam Poddar, artist Sheela Gowda and Swiss curator Mirjam Viradinis. The chief guest will be William Kentridge, South African artist of international acclaim. William Kentridge will present the trophy to this year’s winner and will join as the 5th member of the jury who will decide the winner of the 2013 Škoda Prize.
The winner of the Art India Breakthrough Artist Award (launched last year in order to create a platform for emerging artists as part of the Škoda Prize initiative) will be announced on the same day. The shortlisted artists for this year Prabhakar Pachpute, Ratna Khanna, Rohini Devasher and Yardena Kurulkar are eligible for the prize.
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About The ŠKODA Prize:
The ŠKODA Prize is the most prestigious award on the Indian visual arts scene. It recognises cutting-edge work demonstrating vision, innovation, and a mature understanding of material and form. The Prize brings to public notice exciting trends in contemporary art, highlighting the output of established mid-career artists as well as new voices. It is backed by jurors of impeccable credentials, renowned patron institutions, a dedicated group of advisors, and a management team of proven capability. Nominees need to be below the age of 45, and should have had a solo show in the country over the last 12 months. The winner takes away the prestigious ‘The ŠKODA Prize Winner’ title and also receives a prize money of INR 10,00,000. Runners-up are invited to participate in international residencies supported by Prohelvetia, the Swiss Arts Council. Visited by thousands every year, The ŠKODA Prize Top 20 exhibition (which takes place alongside the India Art Fair in New Delhi) showcases country’s most promising contemporary artists.
Juried by a panel of notable personalities and supported by museums and cultural institutions of international repute. In the past, renowned artists Marc Quinn, and Turner Prize winner Anish Kapoor have presented awards to past winners Mithu Sen (2010) and Navin Thomas (2011). The ŠKODA Prize is a Seventy EMG Arts Initiative.