Artes Mundi unlocks first time talent
27 October, 2006
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
Artes Mundi unlocks first time talent
The talents of first time amateur artists have today (October 27th) gone on show with the Monets and Renoirs at the National Museum Cardiff. The works in the exhibition Who I Really Am were made by sixteen women in response to Artes Mundi 2, following visits to the exhibition earlier this year and through print making workshops organised by Artes Mundi with the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (AWEMA). All of the women artists are from Cardiff and of first and second generation Pakistani background.
Liberty Paterson, Assistant Curator Artes Mundi said “Artes Mundi by definition celebrates diversity. We show international work which relates to the human condition and our understanding of humanity. After seeing our exhibition, the AWEMA women considered the effects of their own culture and background on creating new works of art and went on to make these truly beautiful prints. All but one had absolutely no previous artistic experience and it is remarkable and wonderful to see them on the walls of the Museum. We hope that many people will come to see them”
Naz Malik, Chief Executive AWEMA said “It has been great working with the Artes Mundi team who, like us, are committed to encouraging discussion between different cultures. It was a special opportunity for the women to discover serious skills and talents and a real joy to see their inspiration and pleasure in the whole experience”
The Artes Mundi exhibition and prize provides a unique platform for some of the best contemporary visual culture from around the world. A significant outreach programme is organised alongside the exhibition which is presented only in Wales every two years. Artes Mundi is publicly funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff Council and Arts Council Wales.
Funding for the workshops was provided by the Wales Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust and AWEMA.
Who I Really Am can be seen at the National Museum Cardiff from October 27th to November 26th 2006 at the same time as 1001 Inventions and The Muslim World on Your Doorstep.
Ends
Notes to editors
The Artes Mundi Prize has been established to celebrate visual culture within a global context. It showcases artists who have achieved recognition in their own country and are emerging internationally. Artes Mundi 2 was presented exclusively at the National Museum Cardiff from February 11th – May 7th 2006
76,500 visits were made to the Artes Mundi 2 exhibition in 2006, representing a 20% increase on the first Artes Mundi exhibition in 2004
8% of visitors were of non-white background
The international selectors for Artes Mundi 3 will be announced later this Autumn and Artes Mundi 3 will show at the National Museum Cardiff in Spring 2008
The All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (AWEMA) is based in Cardiff and works towards developing the capacity and skills of members of ethnic minority communities so that they can better identify their needs, work towards meeting them and participate more fully in society.
The Wales Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust takes the Stadium’s significance as an integral part of Welsh life to a higher level by providing financial support to inspiring projects throughout Wales. The Trust’s income is generated through a levy on every ticket purchased for public events at the Stadium.
For further information contact:
Liberty Paterson, Assistant Curator & Education Co-ordinator
Carl Grainger, Head of Administration
T: 02920 555 300
W: info@artesmundi.org