The Skoda Prize, the platform for Indian contemporary art, has announced its jury for the third edition of the prize; the jury panel will include Anupam Poddar, co-founder of the pioneering Devi Art Foundation, and leading Indian artist Sheela Gowda. The jury will be chaired by eminent Indian art historian and critic Geeta Kapur. Launched in 2009 by Skoda Auto India and 70EMG, The Skoda Prize is supported by museums and cultural institutions of international repute.
The Skoda Prize offers an opportunity for mid-career artists across India to showcase their work amongst the country’s leading artists, to a discerning art audience both within India and internationally. The hugely successful top 20 exhibition, which receives thousands of visitors every year, showcases the most exciting trends in contemporary art practices in India and is representative of a diverse spectrum of established and emerging artists from across the country. The top 20 exhibition which is curated by Girish Shahane and the jury panel will open alongside the India Art Fair in New Delhi in February 2013. The top 20 long-listed artists also get an opportunity to be represented in the annual Skoda Prize book.
In 2011, The Skoda Prize platform was further extended to include a 'Breakthrough Artist Award’ to showcase emerging artists who are at the beginning of their careers and help them gain exposure to a wider audience. Madhuban Mitra and Manas Bhattacharya won the first Breakthrough Artist award and received a cash prize of INR 50,000. In 2012, this award will be presented in association with Art India magazine and the prize will include a cash prize of two lakh rupees as well as a trophy.
“We’re delighted to have onboard such a distinguished jury. We aim to build on the reputation the award has established as a benchmark of artistic quality, while also attracting new voices through the Breakthrough Artist Award". Girish Shahane, Director of Art, The Skoda Prize.
