By Catherine Stephens-Ward, Artes Mundi Live Guide
When I arrived at the Museum the morning of the prize award, it was clear that this was no ordinary day. Equipment was being unloaded from lorries outside the Museum steps and taken inside, and there were lots of people bustling around looking busy. Preparations were underway to transform the main hall, the setting for tonight’s special ceremony. When I got inside to start my day, I had a phone call from Artes Mundi asking whether I could return home to pick up a folder that I had borrowed on Yael Bartana and within minutes a taxi was outside to collect me. I rather enjoyed this dash across town, as it added to the excitement of the day. Once I had retrieved the folder, it was passed to the judging panel that had congregated together not far from the Museum to begin making their decision.
In the galleries a workshop was underway. The class of school children were looking at Fernando Bryce’s work when they became momentarily distracted by the artist himself who just happened to be in the same room. It was a special moment. As news spread that other artist’s were in the building, it wasn’t long before I caught a glimpse of Chen Chieh- jen and Muratbek Djumaliev passing through the galleries. There were lots of other people too, all moving around purposefully.
In another part of the Museum a symposium was taking place, which the artist’s spoke at along with curators and other international artists. I attended the afternoon session where I managed to speak to Fernando for the first time. Although I didn’t have much time with him, I did learn more about his copying technique, and discovered that he uses a light box!
By 5.30pm guests started arriving for the big event. I took a group of very important looking people around the exhibition, dressed up in their fineries. Moments later Carwyn Jones, First Minister for Wales arrived and I took him around along with Councillor Nigel Howells. With the tours completed, it was time to join the rest of the party downstairs. The Museum’s architecture provided a spectacular backdrop to the ceremony, creating a special atmosphere. After the announcement that Yael Bartana had won the Artes Mundi prize, the celebrations began. Guests were treated to a three-course meal, wine and good talk!
Photo- The Live Guides with Williams Wilkins, Chairman of Artes Mundi
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