What is a Geppert Competition?
The Geppert Competition is a cyclical review of best debuts on the Polish painting scene. It has a closed format, in which the participating artists are entered by recommendation of a number of invited experts.
The idea of the competition was originated in 1989 among the teaching staff of Wrocław’s State College of Visual Arts (today’s Academy of Fine Arts) and art critics to commemorate Eugeniusz Geppert, the art school’s first rector. Originally, the competition was a strictly academic event, but since 1999 it has been co-organized by BWA Wrocław Galleries of Contemporary Art. Held irregularly at the beginning, it took up a biennial form in the years 1999-2013, and is now organized every three years.
The competition is aimed at young painters, three years after graduation at the latest, as well as non-professionals actively involved in art. The structure of the event comprises two elements: a qualifying symposium and a competition exhibition. During the symposium, experts representing a wide range of art centres in Poland and various functions within the artistic field (academic staff, artists and exhibition curators) enter a maximum of three candidates each – young painters they consider most interesting – presenting their profiles and artistic achievements to date. The finalists to be showcased in the competition exhibition are shortlisted by means of a closed deliberation process.
The finalists, supported by their experts or on their own, submit works which are to be assessed by the Jury during the Geppert Competition exhibition. The jurors are acclaimed specialists invited by the organizers. The decision concerning the competition prizes awarded is always an independent decision of the Jury, and may be subject to any conjunction or division of the prizes. Traditionally, those include the Grand Prix – Mayor of Wrocław Award, ASP Wrocław Rector’s Award, BWA Wrocław Director’s Award and sponsors’ prizes.