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Danielle Deadwyler and Sonya Yong James Win Atlanta Artadia Awards

By November 18, 2019
Sonya Yong James, I know a song of the colors where I live, does it know a song of me?, 2019; hand dyed wool yarn,
silk, wool felt, cotton thread and rope, gourds, taxidermied red headed parrotfinch, 50 by 144 by 12 inches. (All images courtesy Artadia.)

NEW YORK—Artadia has announced artists Danielle Deadwyler and Sonya Yong James as the 2019 recipients of its Atlanta awards. Each artist will receive $10,000 in unrestricted funds and access to the ongoing benefits of the Artadia Awards program. This is Artadia’s seventh year providing unrestricted Awards to artists in Atlanta.

In addition to Deadwyler and James, the finalists for this year’s awards included Bojana Ginn, Gerald Lovell, and Courtney McClellan. After these five finalists were chosen by an initial panel, High Museum of Art photographer curator Gregory Harris and Atlanta-based independent curator Louise Shaw selected Deadwyler and James as the award’s ultimate recipients.

Danielle Deadwyler, BustitOpen, 2017; public performance with video.

Shaw and Harris praised each artist’s practice in a joint statement released by Artadia: “The jurying process this year was quite competitive and we have great admiration for all the finalists who collectively embody the layers and vibrancy of the community here in Atlanta. The two awardees represent distinct practices that demonstrate a commitment to both artistic excellence and rigorous thinking about the creative process. Sonya’s installations emphasize the deeply contemplative potential of craft, elevating humble materials to spiritual planes. Danielle’s compelling performances and videos connect personal narratives with larger issues of social justice and the lived experience of African American women.”

Over the past twenty years, Artadia has awarded over ive million dollars to more than 330 artists in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. The 2019 Atlanta Artadia Awards are generously supported by MailChimp, the Wish Foundation, Artadia’s Board of Directors, Artadia Council Members, through a contribution by artist Shara Hughes, and individual donors across the country.


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