On Friday, October 18th, 2024, the scan.art Emerging Artist Prize Finalist Exhibition opened to a packed crowd at the Bakerhouse Gallery in Graz, Austria. As one of the key sponsors of the event, The Art Fair Guy is excited to share the highlights of this remarkable exhibition, which brings together 24 talented artists from across the globe, representing the categories of Painting, Photography, Mixed Media, and Drawing.
The exhibition marked the culmination of months of preparation and talent scouting for the scan.art Emerging Artist Prize, an initiative that aims to spotlight emerging artists and provide them with an international platform to showcase their creativity. The Bakerhouse Gallery, known as one of the largest contemporary galleries in Europe, provided the perfect setting for this event, offering 1,200m² of space to display the impressive range of works.
A Night to Remember
The atmosphere at the opening night was electric. With over 200 visitors, a DJ, and a bar sponsored by Jägermeister and Red Bull, the evening felt more like a cultural festival than a traditional gallery opening. The crowd enjoyed the energy and creativity of the exhibition, which was divided into five zones: four zones dedicated to the art prize finalists, and one featuring regular Bakerhouse Gallery artists.
CEO of scan.art and curator of World Art Dubai, Gottfried Eisenberger, delivered the opening remarks, alongside Bakerhouse Gallery CEO Klaus Billinger, and Dr. Sandra Holasaek, state parliament member and cultural spokesperson. Dr. Holasaek praised the exhibition for its success in bringing international talent to Austria, underscoring the cultural value of events like the scan.art Emerging Artist Prize.
Showcasing Emerging Talent
The finalists, hailing from countries including Australia, South Africa, Usa, Canada, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Greece, Croatia, and Slovenia, sent their original artworks to Austria for the chance to showcase their works at this prestigious exhibition. Among the standout works on display was Frank Kortan’s surrealist painting, Confidential Journey of Johann Sebastian to Northern India, and Kseniya Rai’s symbolic Blue VR785 in the Painting category. Photographers like Wolfgang Gangl and Kriss Munsya captivated audiences with their thought-provoking, large-scale photographic works, while Eva Samule’s mixed media piece, Rabbit Hole, drew particular attention for its commentary on vulnerability and loss of control.
A Successful Start
Several artworks were sold within hours of the exhibition’s opening, a testament to the level of talent present. Visitors were encouraged to interact with the artworks through the digital exhibition guide, scan.art, which allowed them to learn more about the artists and their creations by simply scanning each piece.
The exhibition also provided an opportunity for some of the finalists to meet their audience in person. Artists such as Aleksandra Osa from Greece and Mario Javoran from Croatia and 6 others from around Europe attended the opening and engaged with visitors, sharing insights about their creative processes and artistic journeys.
Looking Ahead: Announcing the Winners
While the opening night was a celebration of creativity, anticipation is building for the announcement of the winners. Over the next few days, the prize’s jury members will evaluate the physical artworks on display, taking into account not only the artistic merit but also the experience of seeing the pieces live. This commitment to showcasing original artworks reflects the vision of Gottfried Eisenberger, who believes that digital submissions alone cannot fully capture the depth of an artwork.
Winners for each category—Painting, Photography, Mixed Media, and Drawing—will be revealed soon, along with the Overall Winner and the scan.art Choice Award. The scan.art Emerging Artist Prize represents an extraordinary opportunity for emerging artists to gain recognition on an international stage.
A Message from The Art Fair Guy
As a proud sponsor of the scan.art Emerging Artist Prize 2024, The Art Fair Guy is thrilled to have supported this inspiring event and encourages all artists to consider participating in future editions of the prize. This exhibition underscores the importance of creating platforms where emerging talent can shine, offering artists the exposure they need to further their careers.
To experience the exhibition virtually, check out our 4K Walkthrough Video, showcasing all the finalist artworks at the Bakerhouse Gallery on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KdCduZQBcKc?si=a4XIfR_l8pHm-NRQ
For more information on the scan.art Emerging Artist Prize, visit the official page here: www.scan.art/emergingartistprize.
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Conclusion
The scan.art Emerging Artist Prize 2024 Finalist Exhibition is not just an event—it’s a celebration of creativity, diversity, and the future of contemporary art. If this opening is any indication of the talent and ambition present, the future of the art prize looks incredibly bright.
Stay tuned to The Art Fair Guy for further updates on the prize winners, artist features, and more exciting news from the world of art fairs and exhibitions.
