Mignon Daubermann, creator of a pair of tinted cement rings set with gemstones and shaped into organic forms inspired by human bones
has been announced Overall Winner of the 2015/2016 PPC Imaginarium Awards, winning R150 000.
Daubermann’s victory was announced on Thursday 03 March 2016. She was first selected as a finalist out of 660 entries, and went on to win the Jewellery Category Prize. Daubermann’s entry competed against the other four Category Winners across the disciplines of Film, Industrial Design, Fashion and Sculpture (there was no Architecture winner this year).
The PPC Imaginarium Awards challenges its entrants to innovate with cement and use concrete as a medium of expression. Daubermann’s intriguing, conceptually-related rings play on the idea that both concrete and human bones are resilient as well as fundamental for the strength of the entire physical entity – be it a human body or structure.
Her concept, execution and “unique technical use of pigmented concrete and silver” are what impressed the judges. According to this independent jury Daubermann’s rings show a “simplicity and elegance of design” that is both “refined and conceptual, eye-catching and beautiful.”
The PPC Imaginarium offers mentorship and exposure opportunties alongside a cash component so significant that it is the country’s richest art and design competition – cementing PPC Ltd’s reputation as a serious patron of the arts.
Last year, as with this year, R500 000 in prize money went to the Overall Winner, Category Winners and Runners-Up. PPC has already commited to a further round of the competition, which opens for entry in April 2016.
The PPC Imaginarium Awards are spearheaded by PPC Ltd’s own Innovation Department, and are the brainchild of resident architect and respected academic Daniel Van Der Merwe.
Says Van der Merwe: “We would like to extend our congratulations to Mignon Daubermann for exceeding the expectations of concrete in such a captivating way with these pieces of wearable art. And because the standard of this year’s entries is exceptional, we need to particularly acknowledge all the finalists and cordially invite the public to come and appreciate their stimulating, exciting work!”
To view the PPC Imaginarium exhibition, visit the UJ Art Gallery until 26 March 2016, or the Pretoria Arts Association from 01-12 April 2016.
For more information visit www.ppcimaginarium.co.za.
