Artists working in media including ceramics, glass, jewellery, wood, metalwork, craft and textiles are invited to enter the OBJECTive Art Awards 2010, part of Manukau Festival of Arts 2010.

The annual awards and exhibition encourage artists to work in their own chosen media and enter both practical and decorative works into this national event.

Although artists are given full freedom in their practice, it is imperative that entries reflect the whakatauki (proverb) chosen for this year’s awards, ‘Kua whakawahi koe ki te akatea o tika te pono me te aroha’, ‘You have been infused with the knowledge and skills to do what is right with faith and love’.

Now in its fourth year, the OBJECTive Art Awards will award $9500 worth of prize money, including a $5000 Premier Award.

Guest judge Philip Clarke, Director of Objectspace Gallery, a dedicated and award-winning centre for craft and design in Auckland, has worked in the cultural sector for 30 years. Over that time he has continued to develop his own craft sector knowledge, relationships and personal collection of contemporary crafts.

Clarke sits on the panel alongside the council’s Arts Policy Advisor Priscilla Thompson and Maori Arts Manager and Toi o Manukau Kaiwhakahaere Nigel Borell.

Entry forms are now available and can be downloaded from the Manukau City Council website; artists from around New Zealand have until 26 September to submit their works.

The awards ceremony will be held on 15 October and the exhibition will be held for the first time at the new Mangere Arts Centre as part of the Manukau Festival of the Arts programme.

What, When and Where:

OBJECTive Art Awards 2010
Entries open: Friday 24 to Sunday 26 September
Awards night: Friday 15 October
Exhibition dates: 16 October to 12 November
Venue: New Mangere Arts Centre, Cnr Orly Ave and Bader Dve, Mangere Town Centre, Manukau.

Entry forms can be downloaded from here.

For more information on OBJECTive Art Awards 2010, please phone 09 275 0482 or email manukau.arts@manukau.govt.nz