Glenfiddich & Bestcollageart.com unveil "The Emerging Artist of the Year, 2015 Award"

April 17, 2015: The Oberoi, Gurgaon
Glenfiddich & Bestcollageart.com unveil "The Emerging Artist of the Year, 2015 Award" for Glenfiddich's Artists in Residence Programme - 2015 in Scotland

An exclusive preview of a show by the five finalists - 'Five for the Future' at The Oberoi, Gurgaon

Glenfiddich is the world's most awarded single malt Scotch whisky that has been part of an independent family owned business since 1887. The brand has stayed true to the vision of its founder William Grant creating 'The best dram in the valley'.

The Emerging Artist of the Year, 2015 in collaboration with Bestcollegeart.com is back with its fourth successful edition in India. Bestcollegeart.com is India's most reputed online art gallery dedicated to supporting and nurturing young contemporary artists. An exclusive preview show by the five finalists - 'Five for the Future' will be hosted in the evening, which will also mark the announcement of the winner of the most anticipated art award in India. 710 emerging artists created 2,600 artworks across India.

These will be judged by a thirteen member jury comprising of leading artists, curators and collectors, who will go on to shortlist the five finalists. The winner of the evening shall be India's representative artist for 2015 at the globally acclaimed Glenfiddich Artists in Residence Program (AiR). The Indian winning participant will have the chance to collaborate with other celebrated international artists, while living and working at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Scotland. Currently in its 14th year, the AiR will welcome 10 artists, from India, UK, USA, Mexico, Chile, China and Korea.

Glenfiddich Artists in Residence is a program, which fosters talent in the same way they do their whisky. Carefully working towards creating an ever-lasting impact in the world of art. The program hosts over eighty artists from around the world. Glenfiddich is a brand that truly cares and with open arms nurture's the future breakthrough artists of the world. The artists have the opportunity to stay at the scenic town of Dufftown; home to the Glenfiddich distillery. The family owned company opens their home to the artists during their residency, where they take inspiration from their surroundings to produce varied artistic expressions ranging from installations, canvasses, and poetry, to films and photographs, which are then showcased in leading markets worldwide.

Speaking at the Occasion, James Pennefather, General Manager, William Grant & Sons India Pvt. Ltd, said "Keeping with the spirit of our founders, which serves as the testament of our brands values - Glenfiddich has been a patron and supporter of art programs across the world. 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. In India we have opened doors for a credible outlet for the emerging talent this country has to showcase. We are proud to provide our artists the global exposure they deserve."

Mr. Kapil Chopra, President, The Oberoi Group & Mentor, Bestcollegeart.com, said, "We are delighted to host the fourth edition of the Emerging Artist of the Year award. This is the most important initiative for the growth of Indian contemporary art. The award not only seeks out the next generation of artists but also nurtures and supports emerging talent. The Oberoi Group believes in showcasing the best of Indian art, culture, design and hospitality to the world and this partnership reiterates our commitments towards the goal."

About the Jury

The thirteen-member jury for the Emerging Artist of the Year Award, 2015, includes some of the leading names from the world of art, design and fashion. The jury members have gone through over 2600 works by 710 artists and shortlisted 10 in the first round, before finalizing the 5 finalists.

Jury Members:

Mr. Kapil Chopra, Mentor, Bestcollegeart.com & President, The Oberoi Group Mr. James Pennefather, General Manager, William Grant & Sons India Pvt. Ltd Mr. Andy Fairgrieve, Coordinator, Glenfiddich Artist in Residence Program Mr. Peter Nagy, Director, Nature Morte Mr. Rajiv Bhatia, Director, William Grant & Sons, India Ms. Feroze Gujral, Art Collector and Director, Outset India Mr. Nitin Bhayana, Art Collector Mr. Swapan Seth, Art Collector Mr. Veer Munshi, Artist Mr. Jagannath Panda, Artist Mr. V Sunil, Executive Creative Director, Weiden & Kennedy Mr. Amrit Singh, Art Collector Mr. Sunil Sethi, President, Fashion Design Council of India

About the Glenfiddich Artists in Residence Program -

The Artists in Residence Program has developed into an integral element of Glenfiddich's tradition. Every year since 2002, some of the world's most creative minds from around the world have been invited to live and work for a period of three months on site at the Glenfiddich Distillery. The artists have complete freedom to develop projects that are inspired by their surroundings and whisky making crafts. In fact the program has seen many contradictory themes explored due to the dual nature of the surroundings - rich, rural yet at the same time industrial.

The Artists in Residence program in India was instituted with Best College Art for the first time in 2012. The first Indian artist from Best College Art to win the residency in Scotland was Juhikadevi Bhanjdeo in 2012 followed by the very talented Yuvan Bothysathuvar in 2013 and Chetnaa Verma in 2014.

About Glenfiddich

Glenfiddich is a single malt Whisky owned and produced by William Grant & Sons Distillers Limited. An independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and still controlled by the fifth generation of the family. The Company distils some of the world's leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world's favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie® single malts and one of the world's best loved blended Scotches, Grant's®, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick's® Gin, Sailor Jerry® and, most recently, Tullamore Dew Irish Whisky. Click on www.williamgrant.com for more information on the Company and its brands

About Bestcollegeart.com

Bestcollegeart.com is an art initiative, which gets authentic art from the artist's studios directly to the collector. It is an incubation hotbed for young Indian contemporary artists to reach out to collectors to buy contemporary art at reasonable valuations. Contemporary art is more in tune with the current times, it resonates with collectors worldwide and bestcollegeart.com is India's most reputed online art gallery.

Bestcollegeart.com was founded among others by Kapil Chopra, President, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, who is also an avid art collector and critic. The advisory board also includes Peter Nagy, Director of India's top contemporary art gallery Nature Morte, located in Berlin and New Delhi. Peter comes on board as a curator with the Midas touch and with an eye for spotting the right talent.

For further information, please contact:

Sanjana Pathania Speakeasy
sanjana@speakeasy.in / +91 999988322

Reference sites:

http://www.glenfiddich.com/explore/artists-in-residence/welcome/
www.bestcollegeart.com www.oberoihotels.com/hotels-in-gurgaon/