VISUAL ARTS
BIC, best known for producing such disposable consumer products as lighters, razors and pens, recently announced the launch of its continent-wide search for the best ball-point pen artists. The France-based company is inviting talented ball-point pen artists to submit their exceptional artworks for an art competition, whose winner will be crowned the Art Master of Middle East and Africa.
First held successfully in South Africa in 2017, the BIC Art Master Competition has since expanded to become a continent-wide affair in 2019. This year, the competition has further expanded to include the Middle East region. A press statement from the organisers recognises the region as one that is swarming with talented people, hence the plan in the competition’s fourth year to recognise and celebrate these artists.
Intending contestants, who must be based in Africa and Middle East, are expected to express their creativity, using only BIC ballpoint pens and freely playing around this year’s theme, “Enchant Everyday Life”. Artists can submit a maximum of three original and authentic artworks of what inspires and brings them joy on the BIC Art Master website before Monday, May 31.
“With our diverse Nigerian culture, we are excited to be launching this year’s edition of the BIC Art Master Competition that acts as a platform to recognise and showcase African talents,” said Guillaume Grouès, Deputy General Manager, Lucky Stationary Nigeria Ltd and Senior Sales Manager West & Central Africa. “The competition was a great success last year and we are already very impressed with the submissions that we’ve seen in the first couple of days since launch.”
Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges, which will be constituted by a mix of artists, art-biased academics and art collectors. The judging partners are Geoffrey Bich, Enam Bosokah, Aboudouh Akinde Fatiou, Valérie Manouvrier, Hervé Mikaeloff and Ennock Mlangeni.
While the competition’s first prize-winner carts away $2,000 as well as a personalised online gallery and an opportunity to be featured as part of the BIC Art Collection, the second prize winner will receive with a $1,000 cash prize. In addition, the second runner-up will be given $500 cash prize.
The BIC brand plumes itself on its long tradition of celebrating art for over six decades. Its collection currently houses over 250 works of art by 80 international artists. This is besides the fact that it is currently partnering with renowned art institutes around the world and displays its products in a number of renowned museums around the world.
