17 / 04 / 2018

    Concours

    Launch of the Societe Generale Private Banking Switzerland Swiss Emerging Artist Prize to honour emerging talents in Swiss contemporary art

    collection

    Societe Generale Private Banking Switzerland announces its commitment to young contemporary artists by launching the “Swiss Emerging Artist Prize” to support and provide visibility to their work.

    The prize rewards the work of a Swiss national or based artist aged up to 35 who has made a coherent and original artistic contribution in one or more of the following fields: painting, photography, sculpture, installation art, drawing and video. The Bank has commissioned the specialised art consultancy firm Kennedy Fine Art to advise on the creation and production of this prize.

     

    The 15 participants eligible for the 2018 “Swiss Emerging Artist Prize” have been nominated by independent curators from the Swiss contemporary art scene. The selected artists, from German, French and Italian-speaking Switzerland, reflect the country's cultural diversity as well as the reputation of Swiss art schools which attracts international talent.

     

    On 31 May 2018, a jury composed of Staffan Ahrenberg, Andrea Bellini, Aurélie Deplus, Elena Filipovic, and Simon de Pury will announce the prize winner at a gala evening organised by the Bank. The winner will receive CHF 20,000.

     

    The creation of this award, to take place every two years, underlines Societe Generale Private Banking Switzerland’s long-term commitment to the Swiss contemporary art scene.

    Along with the field of classical music, contemporary art is one of the two cornerstones of Societe Generale group's cultural sponsorship policy. Perfectly aligned with the culture and core values that unite its staff, Societe Generale encourages excellence-oriented creativity in its banking profession as in its cultural patronage.


    More information on the Swiss Emerging Artist Prize




    03 / 10 / 2017

    New acquisitions

    New acquisitions: the Collection furthers its support to young creation

    Last July, the Acquisitions Committee gathered to chose nine new artworks that are since then enriching the Collection. A selection that blends historical figures with confirmed and emerging artists, features painting prominently, and celebrates audacity.

    Historical figures and emerging artists


    With paintings from Jean-Michel Atlan (1913-1960) and Georges Mathieu (1921-2012) dating from 1956 and 1964, the Collection expands its historical (and French) branch. It also now features artworks from key figures of the current scene: French painters Marc Desgrandchamps (born in 1960)―the Collection already acquired one of his artworks in 2015―and François Bard (born in 1959) join Belgians Georges Meurant (born in 1948) and Pieter Vermeersch (born in 1973). Faithful to its commitment to support young talents, the Collection acquired works from the French artists Jérémy Liron (born in 1980), Terencio González (born in 1987), and Louis Granet (born in 1991).


    Painting, from centre to opening


    The fact that painting―the medium on which the Collection was originally established―is at the forefront this year is to be noted as well. Abstract painting, leaning towards primitivism with Jean-Michel Atlan, inevitably lyrical with Georges Mathieu, and just as geometrical as it is colourful in the case of Georges Meurant. But figurative painting as well, tinted with cinematographic nuances, with the works of François Bard and Jérémy Liron. At last, painting that overflow the frame, guided by Louis Granet, who mixes painting with cartooning, Terencio González, who brings it face to face with collage, and Pieter Vermeersch, who paints on marble, flirting with sculpture.


    Read more about these newly acquired paintings on the website!



    Image : Louis Granet, Sans titre, 2017, acrylique sur toile, 197 x 135 cm