Winning artworks of the 16th Maľba competition have been revealed

Maľba competition presents further names that can rightly be included among leading artistic talents in the young generation

Rita Koszorús, Ivana Mojšová and Év van Hettmer received the highest recognition from the international jury this time. The VÚB Foundation has been organizing the initiative for 16 years and continues to support laureates with EUR 20,000 and by publicly promoting their work and potential. Both within the professional art scene, and, also with the aim of bringing quality young art to the general public. All 20 finalists’ artwork can be viewed at a free exhibition held at Bratislava’s Nedbalka Gallery until 7 November 2021.

All artworks by registered painters were independently evaluated by a four-member jury of renowned art experts. This year the jury comprised: Andreas Hoffer (Austrian art historian and curator), Ondřej Horák (Czech art scene writer, publicist and curator), Ľudovít Hološka (renowned painter and university pedagogue), and Pál Gerber (acclaimed Hungarian painter). Read more about the jurors here.

First the jury selected the final twenty, and then - based on a detailed assessment of the original paintings - three winners of the Maľba 2021 competition emerged:

1st place - Rita Koszorús

 

The expert jury has voted for Rita Koszorús as the winner of the 16th annual Maľba competition. For her schMERZbild FALL artwork, she received the prestigious title, valuable recognition from esteemed figures, and EUR 10,000 from the VÚB Foundation. According to commission president Andreas Hoffer, the winner impressed with her consistent and clearly defined program, which can be placed in a European context. The work is subtle in expression - inconspicuous, as if a little nostalgic - yet surprisingly strong and extremely impressive. It convinces with perfectly painted concept and technique. The abstract shapes evoke a specific world, objects that we know. Her work allows facilitates seeing from several angles, she offers dialogue. The winning image is distinctive, without poses, and not copying world or domestic trends.

2nd place - Ivana Mojšová

Ivana Mojšová came second and was presented with EUR 6,500 for her further professional growth. The jury considered her artwork This is a painting of triumphal photography by David Chancellor an extraordinary visual experience - in terms of colour combination, as well as a composition exhibited on almost abstract parts in contrast to a strong figural motif. The painting also impresses with its ironic gesture - with her self-portrait the artist portrayed herself as the curator’s hunter. The word ‘curator’ is clearly written on the antelope’s head.

3rd place - Év van Hettmer

In third place was Év van Hettmer with her work Lemonade, for which she received EUR 3,500. She has been a top-three awarded finalist for the third consecutive time. The jury considers her painting very original, strong, and bold, unrestrained by social conventions or expectations. The artist also demonstrates a refined artistic opinion and technique, whilst remaining easy in expression. The jury stated that the painter is unique, and despite flaws that she fearlessly portrays, her work deserves full support and recognition.

Public-access artworks
The VÚB Foundation has also organized an exhibition of finalists’ 16th annual Maľba artwork in cooperation with Bratislava’s Nedbalka Gallery and professional collaborator Nina Gažovičová. In accordance with current health and safety measures, the public can view all twenty finalists’ submissions (in alphabetical order): Ján Bátorek, Anna Mária Beňová, Dominika Brečková, Denisa Dováľová, Lucia Dunajová, Roman Ďurček, Juraj Ďuriš, Oskar Felber, Marek Jarotta , Beáta Kočner Bencová, Rita Koszorús, Ivana Mojšová, Michaela Murínová, Mikaela Mia Papp, Miroslav Sandanus, Denisa Slavkovská, Simona Štulerová, Michal Turkovič, Év van Hettmer, and Kristína Záhorová. The exhibition is open from 1 October to 7 November 2021.