Sterling Bank: RecyclArt Competition unveils 16 finalists

Sterling Bank Plc has announced 16 finalists for the next stage of the RecyclArt Competition. The 16 finalists made the cut from a pool of 630 young artists from across Nigeria that submitted proposals on transforming old, recycled and reused objects into amazing pieces of contemporary art for public spaces.

RecyclArt was initiated by Sterling Bank to preserve culture and empower young artists to expand their art practice into the public realm, while also supporting the environment by promoting the recycling and repurposing of waste materials.

Artists that made the cut are Obiakor Thelma, Ekpe Anthony, Ifedilichukwu Chibuike and Okewu Jonathan from Abuja Zone; Fagbohungbe Olayemi, Nwasogwa Jachimike, Akpojotor Patrick and Dudu Emmanuel from Lagos Zone;

Ajisafe Raphael, Olojede Ife, Ayodele Aribagabu and Samson Ogundeji from the Abeokuta Zone, and Udeh Charles, Asiegbu Collins, Muoneme Izuchukwu and Enejison Michael from Port Harcourt Zone.

The finalists will create miniature versions of their proposed works submitted for appraisal by the competition’s esteemed panel of multi-disciplinary judges, comprising Olu Amoda, Rom Isichei, Deola Sagoe and Ndidi Dike.

Four of the 16 finalists with the best artwork from each zone will become grand prize winners. The four winners from the different zones will be awarded N1,000,000m each, with a solo installation/exhibition in one public community park or space within their geo-political zone.

Commenting on RecyclArt, Henry Bassey, Chief Marketing Officer, Sterling Bank, said “Artists can do amazing things with recycled and repurposed materials by turning them into sculptures and many other art forms thereby creating value from objects that will otherwise litter dumpsites.

RecyclArt is providing this same opportunity to young and emerging artists in the country to become inventive by transforming waste into public artwork which will give a large number of Nigerians aesthetic pleasure.

These eco-friendly art forms will also advocate the cause of the environment by inspiring the masses to reuse and repurpose waste which will in turn reduce our environmental challenges.

I am happy that our distinguished panel of judges for the competition are looking for ingenuity and ability to create an original piece of art from recycled and repurposed materials.”

On his part, RecyclArt Chief Judge and globally celebrated Nigerian sculptor, Olu Amoda emphasized the value of recycled and repurposed art to the environment.

The multi-media artist, whose iconic work using repurposed materials and metal expresses the very best of modern African sensibility said: “The RecyclArt initiative is special to me because I want people to be able to see art and make the connection between the parent material and a new use.

“For instance, when using a plastic bottle for an artwork, it is important for people to see it as plastic bottles not something else.

This has a lot of advantages because the common man will no longer see the plastic bottle as a discarded object anymore, but as an object of value and that is the notion of recycling and repurposing.

“I believe RecyclArt will help people make the connection that often eluded them when they see artworks, while also promoting recycling and repurposing for the benefit of the environment.”

In alignment with Sterling Bank’s commitment to environmental sustainability, RecyclArt champions the cause of the environment by advocating the use of recycled and repurposed material as a direct medium for social commentary and art in public spaces.