Over 100 Entries In Schizophrenia Art Awards

Schizophrenia Art Awards Media Release

9 March 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

Over 100 Entries received for the Third Novartis AstraZeneca Schizophrenia Art Awards

Over 100 New Zealand artists with schizophrenia have entered the third Novartis AstraZeneca Schizophrenia Art Awards.

"The aim of these awards is to celebrate the creative talents of people with schizophrenia and to educate all New Zealanders about the condition." Helen Sullivan, Product Manager for Novartis New Zealand Ltd said.

Novartis and AstraZeneca, working in collaboration with Schizophrenia Fellowship NZ, are jointly sponsoring the third Novartis AstraZeneca Schizophrenia Art Awards.

Barbara Halliday, Chief Executive of Schizophrenia Fellowship New Zealand Inc. says;

"We have received a flood of truly amazing art works. We are always overwhelmed by the variety and originality of the artworks and the self-expression and creative skills of the artists. We have been receiving traditional watercolours, oils, pastels, and drawings alongside woodworkings, pop art, textured works and even leather tooling. Many of the artists communicate their own unique insight and experience of schizophrenia through these artworks."

Three judges will be responsible for choosing the most outstanding artwork, a runner up and four merits, along with fourteen other finalists. The judges are:

. Neil Roberts, Senior Curator, Christchurch Art Gallery . Warren Feeney, Director, Centre of Contemporary Art, Christchurch . Peter Hines, Arts for Health Trust

The winners of the Art Awards will be announced shortly before Schizophrenia Awareness Week (15-21 March).

The artworks will be on display for public viewing between 9am-3pm at Schizophrenia Fellowship National Office, Level 2, 329 Durham St, Christchurch from 16-26 March 2004. The top twenty selected art works will then go on tour and be exhibited to the public throughout New Zealand.

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