Ateneo Art Awards 2010 : Shattering States

On its fiftieth anniversary, the Ateneo Art Gallery is pleased to announce that “Shattering States” has been selected as the theme of this year’s Ateneo Art Awards in recognition of the museum’s pioneering efforts in championing the cause of modernism in the country.

Traversing the range and scale of art practice, the 2010 edition of the Awards actively underscores the transgressions being carried out by artists rather than being an evocation of stasis or permanence. Ceaselessly challenging traditional media forms, this year presents an explosive gamut of artists whose codified works in one way or another hybridize manifestations that delineate and define the cutting edge.

Beyond the parameters of the object and its creator, “Shattering States” is also an ongoing reflection about time and place: a mental mapping of links that connect local and global concerns. As Philippine society finds itself yet again at the cusp of success or failure, art is ultimately about harnessing and realizing the potential of the imagination to create a wishing space that will effectuate lasting change.

The winners of the 2010 Ateneo Art Awards: Shattering States, were announced in a well-attended awards ceremony at the Grand Atrium of the Shangri-La Plaza last Thursday, 12 August. Leslie de Chavez was awarded for his solo exhibition, Buntong Hininga, shown at Silverlens Gallery; Pow Martinez for his solo exhibition 1 Billion Years in West Gallery; and Mark Salvatus for his work Secret Garden, which was part of the group show Sungduan 5: Daloy ng Dunong held at the National Museum.

The Ateneo Art Awards are given to Filipino visual artists below the age of 36 for outstanding works in an exhibition.