Filipino Futures: Ateneo Art Awards

This year, the Ateneo Art Gallery in Quezon City, Philippines, held the tenth edition of its prestigious Ateneo Art Awards, which recognizes young Filipino artists under the age of 36 for outstanding exhibitions in the previous year. On August 8, out of a shortlist of 12 artists, three winners were announced: Raffy Napay for his exhibition “Thread Experience” at West Gallery, Charles Buenconsejo for “Reality is a Hologram” at Art Informal, and Buen Calubayan for “Fressie Capulong” shown at Blanc Peninsula. Each artist was awarded a studio residency grant at one of the museum’s institutional partners as well as the opportunity to exhibit their work in a group show at the art gallery (now on view through December 7).

Prince Claus Fund announces awardees

Winners of the Prince Claus Fund—awarded annually to outstanding people and projects from developing nations—were announced today. Among the honorees are several artists from the Asia-Pacific region who have demonstrated an ability to add fuel to the creative fire despite limited material and cultural resources.

Margins Take Center in Fukuoka Prize

Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Indian artist Nalini Malani have been named the 2013 laureates for the Fukuoka Arts and Culture Prize, awarded annually to promote exchange between the diverse regions of Asia.

Public Funding Cuts Jeopardize Hong Kong's Nonprofits

Last month, two of Hong Kong’s nonprofit organizations were given notice that they would no longer be receiving government funding from the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), the statutory body supporting arts development in the city. For Para Site, a 17-year-old art space in Sheung Wan, and Woofer Ten, which operates out of Shanghai Street Artspace in Yau Ma Tei—both of whom have enjoyed productive years, respectively—this announcement came as a surprise, indicating both questionable motives and lack of foresight on government’s behalf.

Hou Hanru appointed new artistic director of Rome's MAXXI

On July 31, Rome’s National Museum of 21st Century Arts (MAXXI) announced independent curator and critic Hou Hanru as its artistic director. Assuming this role in September, Hou will be responsible for planning MAXXI’s cultural programs.

West Bund 2013 Previews in Hong Kong

Last month, 100 days from its official opening, the curatorial team of West Bund 2013: A Biennial of Architecture and Contemporary Art—an ambitious program that seeks to combine experimental architecture and art—held a press conference in Hong Kong revealing its latest plans. 

The Sincere Art, In Memory of Sadegh Tirafkan, Iranian artist and photographer

This past May, the Iranian art community mourned the loss of Sadegh Tirafkan, one of the country’s “new art movement” pioneers, to brain cancer at the age of 47. Known for his innovative blending of photography with other artistic media, Tirafkan was an early proponent of photo-based art in Iran and a prominent international representative of Iranian contemporary art.

Sydney’s International Art Series Launches a “Double Header”

Last week, The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) and Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) jointly launched the 2013–14 edition of The Sydney International Art Series (SIAS) with a “double header” that will bring a Yoko Ono show and a comprehensive survey of 200 years of American art to the two galleries this November.