One of the most sought-after prizes for the local creative community, the Standard Bank Young Artists Awards, were held this week and five talented South Africans were chosen in different categories.
The winners for 2020 are:
- Blessing Ngobeni for visual art;
- Nthato Mokgata, aka Spoek Mathambo, for music;
- Lulu Mlangeni in the dance category;
- Jefferson Tshabalala for theatre; and
- Sisonke Xonti in the jazz category.
Standard Bank has sponsored a cash prize for each of these young talents and a commission to premiere a new work or exhibit at the 46th National Arts Festival in Makhanda from June 25 to July 5 2020.
Ngobeni is becoming popular among collectors for his painting, sculpture, video, audio installations and live performances that question corruption in SA.
Mokgata is a musician, artist, producer, rapper, and singer-songwriter with a huge international and local following. His music projects include Batuk and Fantasma and he directed Future Sounds of Mzansi, a documentary exploring SA's cultural landscape.
Mlangeni focuses on the idea of texture in her dancing and choreography, which she's performed all over the world. Her recent dance piece, Confined, is inspired by Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
Tshabalala is a writer, director, performer, and the founder and owner of the live arts production house, Kiri Pink Nob Arts.
He merges poetry, hip-hop, comedy, and traditional dramatic arts to communicate his stories. Lifestyle featured coverage of his work Ekasi Lam - An Ode to Kwaito, which premiered at the 2019 National Arts Festival.
Xonti is a jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader who's worked with and performed alongside artists such as Hugh Masekela, Lira, Bokani Dyer, and Simphiwe Dana. His full-length album, Iyonde, was released in 2017.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.