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Ceramicist Xanthe Somers wins Latitudes Online’s ANNA Award 2024
12 Aug 2024 (3 min) read
“As an artist who works directly with themes of ‘women’s work’ and domesticity, I am honoured to be chosen for an award that gives female voices a space to be heard and recognised, as well as shedding light on their subject matter.” - Xanthe Somers
Last week ceramic artist Xanthe Somers (Zimbabwe/United Kingdom) was named the winner of the third iteration of the annual ANNA Award presented by ANNA Pure Organic and Latitudes Online.
The aim of the award (sponsored by ANNA Pure Organic), South Africa’s first locally manufactured, environmentally friendly and organic feminine hygiene product range) is to discover, recognise and nurture a new generation of women-identifying artists from the African continent and the diaspora, particularly those who show extraordinary originality, imagination and dedication to creative pursuits.
2024 welcomed an impressive 743 applications from across 38 countries, from which 12 finalists were announced prior to the selection committee (comprising powerhouse women Key Jo Lee, Swakara Atwell-Bennett, Ruzy Rusike and Lezanne Human) making its final decision.
Somers receives a cash prize, alongside a presentation at the 2025 RMB Latitudes Art Fair, her artwork being included in the ANNA Award Collection, a profile on Latitudes Online and a year's supply of ANNA products. She is also awarded a residency program hosted by SAFFCA where she will attend one of five beautiful residency locations including, Lion Sands Ivory Lodge (Sabi Sands in Mpumalanga), UNESCO World Heritage site Witklipfontein, The Entabeni Urban Farm (Knysna), Abbaye de la Cambre (Brussels) and the Gallery MOMO Residency (Johannesburg).
Upon being announced as the winner, Xanthe said the following: "I am deeply honored to be selected as this year's ANNA Award winner, especially among such a remarkable group of finalists. I want to extend my deepest gratitude for this recognition and the opportunities it brings. This award will undoubtedly enhance my artistic career, offering new avenues for creative exploration and growth. It is vital to spotlight and elevate the voices of female African artists on the global stage, as our unique perspectives and stories contribute richly to the world's cultural tapestry."
Complete list of the 12 Finalists:
Ethel Aanyu (Uganda), Isabella Maake (SA), Jana Visser (SA), Kay-Leigh Fisher (SA), Leah Rachel Hawker (SA), Lee-Ann Olwage (SA), Marie Aimée Fattouche (Egypt), Ntsako Nkuna (SA), Silindokuhle Shandu (SA), Xanthe Lardner Burke (SA), Xanthe Somers (Zimbabwe), Yaknoabasi Jessicah Ene (Nigeria)
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Xanthe Somers was born and went to school in Harare, Zimbabwe. She graduated from Michealis School of Fine Art, UCT in Cape Town in 2015, after which she went on to be awarded a grant to study a MA Postcolonial Culture and Global Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. She completed her studies in 2020 with distinction.
Somers' practice is informed by the politics of aesthetics, and more significantly how the colonial history in Zimbabwe continues to manipulate aesthetic values. Her work as a ceramic sculptor looks at reimagining everyday life and examining the subtle treason of objects. Through a sense of play, bright colours, mocking tone and exaggerated shapes, the artist tries to challenge the prevailing ideas associated with normalcy, beauty and refinement which have been manipulated by the Christian-Colonial gaze fixed strongly on southern Africa.
The artist’s upcoming solo exhibition titled Invisible Hand, opens later this month at Southern Guild Cape Town and will showcase the works created during her two-month long GUILD Residency stay earlier in 2024.