[Press Release]
On 25 July 2018, Chinese Contemporary Art Award (CCAA) gave an official notice of Open Call for the 2018 CCAA Artist Award. By 30 August 2018, CCAA has received 75 applications from 20 provinces such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hubei, Shandong, Hong Kong and Tibet. The works cover a wide variety of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, installation and performance.
After careful consideration, the nominating committee selected 5 artists from these 75 applications as candidates for the final selection of 2018 CCAA Artist Award. They are: Cao Yu, Deng Yufeng, Hu Shuai, Hu Yinping and Zhao Zhao. CCAA will be responsible for collating and translating all materials and present these 5 artists to the jury, along with other 26 nominees. A 31-candidate list will be discussed during the jury meeting, which will be held at the CCAA Beijing office (CCAA Cube) on 12 November 2018.
To enhance the engagement of those artists who may currently be out of sight of the public, of the market and of the academic sphere, CCAA continues its Open Call program, which was established in 2014. For the result of involving more artists to the award, the Open Call is a necessary and effective supplement to the nominating committee implemented since 2004. Many of the applications for the Open Call are from well-known cultural hubs such as Beijing and Shanghai as well as development of artistic practice in Tianjin, Wuhan, Chongqing and other cities. Meanwhile, the increase in the number of applicants reminds CCAA of the necessity to set a fairer and more strict selection standard. As the first pioneering international academic award, CCAA also makes conscientious efforts to offer outstanding artists more opportunities for international academic exchange.
CCAA, founded by Dr. Uli Sigg and headed by Ms. Liu Li Anna, is committed to giving credit to Chinese artists and art critics for their notable achievements. In the past 20 years, 10 artist selection juries and 6 art critic selection juries, with the criteria of independence, academic standard and a global perspective, have given awards to 25 artists / artist groups (10 Best Artist Awards, 8 Best Young Artist/Artist Group Awards and 7 Contribution Awards) and 9 Art Critic Awards. With its active participation in the form of judging panels, awards, publications and exhibitions, CCAA has been playing a key part in promoting Chinese contemporary art in China and abroad.
Please keep up to date on news and events of the CCAA that will celebrate its 20th anniversary in this milestone year.