Open Call to Artists

SUBMISSIONS NOW CLOSED.

An open invitation to all artists to take inspiration from the monumental piece in the Rembrandt van Rijn Collection – COLOUR SYMPHONY by MICHÉLE NIGRINI completed in 1993.

View exhibition here. 

This is an open call for responsive artworks to be submitted for possible inclusion in a group exhibition to be showcased in the Jan Rupert Art Centre, Graaff-Reinet, during the first quarter of 2021.

Remember that a picture – before being a warhorse, a nude woman, or some anecdote – is essentially a plane surface covered with colours assembled in a certain order – Maurice Denis

Colour Symphony  was created by taking a Modernist approach to observe and explore the reactions of colours to each other, how scale can influence colour and marks, and how a combination of line, colour and form activates and creates energy and flow. Through this ‘showcase’ of colour from purple to yellow, the artist used her familiar surroundings of a garden and its elements to visually and aesthetically portray the thought process and relationships between colour.

Initially displayed as a 16 meter strip comprising out of 395 panels of oil paint on chipboard. Achromatic greys start and conclude the spectrum with a central feature that consist of 77 panels featuring a full colour spectrum of contrasts and mixes. To the sides, 12 colours – primary, secondary and tertiary from the colour wheel, are split between cold and warm tones. The exploration is intensified through the 25 panels on each colour, with tonal transitions in both vertical and horizontal rows.

_

Michele Nigrini Open Call to Artists Interview

‘Colour Symphony’

The call is open to anyone who would like to create a responsive work of art using the medium of their choice. As this is a responsive call, no work created before to March 2020 may be submitted. The amount of artworks to be selected for exhibition will be determined by the quality as well as the overall size of selected works. Due to travel and space restrictions in the exhibition space of the Jan Rupert Art Centre, Graaff-Reinet, the work submitted must comply to / in the following requirements.

Dimensions:

1. Two dimensional work

Can be created in any medium of choice on any surface, hence it is moveable and stable for travel. Framed sized within 150 x 150 cm not exceeding 20cm in depth.

All works on paper including photography must be framed for exhibition at the artists cost. Works on board or canvas if left unframed must be equipped with a sufficient hanging mechanism.

2. Three dimensional work / installations

Can be created in any medium of choice, must be able to stand freely on the floor or a plinth. Size limited to: (h) 250 x (b) 200 x (d) 200 cm.

No suspension from ceilings possible.

3. Weight of work

No work either 2D or 3D may exceed 40kg in weight.

4. Multimedia work / Video performances

Audio visual to fit 50” Smart TV screen. The use of earphones will NOT be permitted, sound will only play through the screening device.

5. Any piece with sound will have to be equipped with its own devices and electronics

Cost of packaging and travel of final selected works:

1. Travel will be covered from the following main city centres in South Africa (JHB, PTA, CPT, BLM, KZN, CPT, PE to Graaff-Reinet). It will be the responsibility of the artist, at their cost, to get the work to the allocated drop-off point at these city centres (full details on addresses and dates will be shared).
2. If the works are not sold and has to return after exhibition, the works will return to the same drop-off locations for the artists’ collection.
3. Packing and crating costs will be carried, hence the discretion of the Rupert Museum, as shared crating will be utilized.

Exhibition possibilities:

1. Chosen works will be exhibited with the Colour Symphony at the Jan Rupert Art Centre, Graaff-Reinet.
2. All works must be available for sale and priced under R100,000.00. Please note that a 30% commission fee will be applicable that will go directly to the assisting partner – Imibala Gallery, Drostdy, Graaff-Reinet.
3. Sold works will have to remain on exhibition until the exhibition comes to a close, and will then be shipped to buyers (all sales and further arrangements will go through Imibala Gallery).
4. Online sales platform via the Rupert Museum website will enhance the prospected sales and marketing of these works.
5. Artworks must remain on show for the full duration of the exhibition. Specific dates TBC (March – September 2021)

Process of submission:

1. Your artwork may be submitted electronically through mailing a completed submission form and hi.res images to eliz-marie@rupertmuseum.org of the completed work before or on the closing date of Monday, 18 January 2021.
2. Selected artists will be informed on Monday, 1^st February 2021 about their inclusion into the group exhibition. Unsuccessful submissions will also be informed within that week.
3. Please note that this is not a competition, there is no prize money or awards given.

Featured:

Details from the monumental 16 meter panel installation Colour Symphony, 1993 by Michéle Nigrini.