NANDOS ART INITIATIVE 2017

Yours truly was over at the Nando’s Art Initiative exhibition at Publika recently...

The Nando’s Art Initiative is a platform that is dedicated to changing the lives of young artists in Malaysia and it has done so for 10 long years already, and so it is also celebrating its 10th year anniversary. From its humble beginnings in 2008, Nando’s has showcased more than 500 pieces of artworks from over 400 young upcoming local artists. 

From Fine Art, Digital Art to Graffiti, Nando’s has provided a platform for budding artists to exhibit their creativity and talents to a wider audience with some even launching their careers in the art scene after winning the competition.

To earmark the occasion, Nando’s produced an exclusive Coffee Table book titled ‘A Journey of Colours’ that narrates the stories of its grand prize winners over the past 10 years while also acknowledging the notable judges that have contributed to making the initiative the success it is today. 

Filled with artists’ stories complemented with vivid pictures of their artwork, ‘A Journey of Colours’ represent the evolution of the Nando’s Art Initiative and celebrates its most important asset – the youth. Art lovers who would like to own a copy will be able to download the e-Book from the Nando’s Art Initiative website.

The event also coincided with the Nando’s Art Initiative 2017 winner announcement and prize presentation ceremony. 

Joining the ranks of artists who have won in the competition, Ong Hieng Fuong walked away as the 2017 Grand Prize winner in the Fine Art category with her art piece entitled ‘City No.8337’ while Nurul Atika Binti Nordin took the win in the Digital Art category with ‘Terrarium City’. This year however, the Nando’s Art Initiative’s Fine Art category saw a tie for 1st Runner-Up with Ching Chen En and Leow Xu Jia sharing the title for their creative works titled ‘Vestige of Life’ and ‘The Artist’s Cabinet’ respectfully. Cheong See Min bagged the 2nd Runner-Up spot with her masterpiece ‘Women Poetry’.

In the Digital Art segment Freeda Jane Madius took 1st Runner-Up for her illustration titled ‘Beyond the Page’ and ‘Story Time at Grandma’s Kedai Runcit’ by Wong Xin Hui was placed as 2nd Runner-Up.

Making the affair even more memorable was the attendance of past year winners such as Faiz Yunus, Nik Shazmie and Cloakwork amongst others along with judges the likes of Marini Ramlan, Marvin Chan, Noor Mahnun, Chief Advisor and judge Syed Nabil Syed Nahar and many more.

“It has been a humbling experience for me to have had the opportunity to work with so many talented young artists. In line with our global direction of ‘Changing the lives of youths’, it is my hope that this platform will continue to grow to even greater heights and that the Nando’s Art Initiative will be a driving force in changing the lives of the youth in Malaysia,” said Group CEO, Mac Chung Lynn in her opening speech.

With encouraging support from universities and colleges, the Nando’s Art Initiative has seen a decade of prolific talent that has improved year on year. The 2017 competition was no different with 578 submissions for both the Fine Art and Digital Art category from 46 colleges and universities.

A display of 61 immersive art pieces will be held in Publika for the public to indulge in from 12 – 22 September 2017. The exhibition is to expose the talents and workings of the best participants and give avid art enthusiasts a chance to own a piece of that ingenuity through an open silent auction. Proceeds from the sale are given to the artists who will receive 50% percent of the sale price while the remaining 50% will go to the grand prize winners’ college or university.

The Nando’s Art Initiative has served as a platform for creative expression and development. This has brought to the forefront an assemblage of young artistes in Malaysia who now have an exciting avenue to promote their abilities and creative production.

The prizes include:

Fine art category:

Grand prize – RM5,000 cash, Nando’s vouchers worth RM500, sponsored solo exhibition and mentorship

·         Winner: Ong Hieng Fuong

1st runner up – RM3,000 cash, Nando’s vouchers worth RM500 and sponsored Group Exhibition

·         Winner: Ching Chen En

·         Winner: Leow Xu Jia

2nd runner up – RM2,000 cash, Nando’s vouchers worth RM500 and sponsored Group Exhibition

·         Winner: Cheong See Min

Consolation prize (x3) – Nando’s vouchers worth RM500 and sponsored Group Exhibition

·         Winner: Muhammad Ibrahim bin Khairulsani

·         Winner: Ong Cai Bin

·         Winner: Liew Mei Toong

Digital art category:

Grand prize – RM5,000 cash, Nando’s vouchers worth RM500, sponsored solo exhibition and mentorship

·         Winner: Nurul Atika binti Nordin

1st runner up – RM3,000 cash, Nando’s vouchers worth RM500 and sponsored Group Exhibition

·         Winner: Freeda Jane Madius

2nd runner up – RM2,000 cash, Nando’s vouchers worth RM500 and sponsored Group Exhibition

·         Winner: Wong Xin Hui

Consolation prize (x3) – Nando’s vouchers worth RM500 and sponsored Group Exhibition

·         Winner: Muhammad Aidil bin Mohd Aziz

·         Winner: Muhammad Riduan bin Raja Yunus

·         Winner: Ong En Kiat

All works were judged based on originality and creativity, the story (concept & idea), quality of design and composition, use of medium and artistic finish, and overall impression.

For more information on Nando’s Art Initiative, please log on to www.nandos.com.my/artinitiative.