BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A work by UAB Art Professor John Douglas Powers, M.F.A., placed seventh among more than 1,200 entries in ArtPrize, a new, international competition in Grand Rapids, Mich., that culminated with an awards ceremony Oct. 8.
The top 10 works from all entries were named this past week. All 10 were awarded cash prizes at the ceremony. Powers was awarded a $7,000 prize for his work, "Field of Reeds," a kinetic sculpture 4 1/2 feet in height by 14 feet by 10 feet. Composed of 1001 vertical "reeds" held in place and supported by an articulated wooden assemblage, an electric motor causes the reeds to sway.
The winner of the competition, Ran Ortner, was awarded $250,000 for his oil on canvas work, "Open Water No. 24."
Any artist, emerging or established, was invited to show work at various approved venues in the city. The winners were determined by votes from the audience, and all event attendees 16 or older were eligible to vote.
The historical touchstone for Powers' work is Sanjusangendo, a temple in Kyoto, Japan, that houses 1001 human-scale gilt wooden sculptures of Kannon, the Japanese spirit of compassion. A second influence is an ancient Egyptian mythological belief regarding death that includes Sekhet-Hetepet, or Fields of Reeds. The souls of the deceased must overcome several obstacles in their journey through the underworld and encounter Anubis, who weighs the soul against the feather of Ma'at. Righteous ones were allowed to join the afterlife and granted a plot in the Field of Reeds.
Powers, assistant professor of sculpture at UAB, attended the awards ceremony. "Really it is a huge surprise. There are almost 1,300 artists involved. To be included at all is exciting, and to be in the top 10 is astounding. It's a real honor," Powers said.
About the UAB Department of Art and Art History
Located within a vibrant arts and cultural scene, the UAB Department of Art and Art History offers studies in ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, time-based media, art history and art education. Their faculty and students exhibit in local, regional and national galleries, contribute to many community-based projects and work closely with Birmingham's museums and galleries.