Nov. 20, 2012
Seven artists with disabilities received recognition at the seventh annual Phoenix Sister Cities International Competition for Artists with Disabilities including two from Hermosillo, Mexico; and two from Chengdu, China; two of Phoenix’s nine sister cities.
Three artists received cash awards out of 52 entries in the Competition Category including Chen Feng, Chengdu, China, who received $500 for his acrylic work entitled “Self-Improvement.” The artist is hearing impaired and was inspired by a story he read about a man who lost both of his legs.
The other two winners were Heather Edgar, Phoenix, who received $300 for her work “Hope Finds a Way,” using tapestry and acrylic paint; and Ula Mohammad, Phoenix, who received $150 for her work “The Village,” using the medium of acrylic. Edgar learned to paint and draw while recovering from a disabling work injury in 1999 and Mohammad, who was born in Baghdad, was inspired by a village she saw in her country that was “enveloped with celestial lights.”
Three artists were recognized in the Exhibition Category including STARS, a collective group of artists from Phoenix, who submitted one piece, “Midnight Dance with the Sunflowers,” using the medium of acrylic, won first place. Nahyeli Alicia Morales Lopez and Sergio Antillon Rogel, both of Hermosillo, Mexico, received second and third place recognition. Lopez used pastel for her artwork titled “Friends?” and Rogel used oil for his work “Untitled.”
The people’s choice award, for the artist receiving the most votes, was given to Li Zi of Chengdu, China, for his pencil artwork titled “Belief.” He was inspired by an athlete from South Africa who lost both legs as a child and went on to compete in the Olympics with determination and strength.
For more information about the Phoenix Sister Cities International Competition for Artists with Disabilities and Phoenix Sister Cities, visit phoenixsistercities.org or call 602-534-3751. Follow us on Twitter @phxsistercities.
NOTE: Color pictures of the winning entries are available.
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