'Emerging Artist' award for Odia artist Sitaram Swain

Odisha-based installation artist Sitaram Swain has been chosen as the Glenfiddich's Emerging Artist of the Year 2017.
The sixth recipient of the honour, Swain will represent India at the Glenfiddich Artists in Residence (AiR) programme where he will spend three months at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Scotland with seven artists from around the world.
It is Swain's out of the box concepts and his way with domestic objects to exemplify social issues through his art, that make him stand out. The artist believes that there is a sublime quality of social relevance in day to day objects.
"I am very excited to be selected as the India winner for Glenfiddich's AiR programme. This will be an opportunity for me to widen and explore my creative boundaries outside of my traditional work space.

"It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to interact with some great artists from around the world in the heart of the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland," Swain said.
The artist will be also awarded Rs 10 lakh, which includes an international allowance of Rs 1,20,000 per month and a work allowance of Rs 500,000, besides being given a solo show at Bestcollegeart.Com Gallery here.

The 16-year-old AiR programme brings winners from different countries together to spend three months at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Scotland, and take inspiration from their surroundings to produce new work.
"Our globally recognized forum Artists in Residence (AiR), launched in 2002, provides a unique and inspired platform for artists from around the world to showcase their talent and to gain international recognition.

"India has become a world-class centre of excellence for creativity, given the diversity and talent it houses," Andy Fairgrieve, global coordinator and organizer of the programme, said.
The award was judged by a 13-member jury including leading artists, gallery owners, art critics and art collectors like Sunil V, Sunil Sethi, Peter Nagy, Jagannath Panda, Feroz Gujral, Thukral & Tagra among others.