Heath Nash competes for British Council's 2006 International Young Designer Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Cape Town artist Heath Nash is this month heading to London following his selection as one of 10 international finalists in the British Council's 2006 International Young Designer Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He departs on a 10 day trip on September 9, during which he will compete in London with the other finalists for a R80 000 grant and the chance to exhibit his work at London's '100% Design' show. Nash will give a 35-minute presentation, and face a question-and-answer session from a UK jury. On the back of these presentation an overall winner will be announced on September 15.
This is the first time that the British Council in South Africa has participated in this international competition. It forms part of an initiative to develop the entrepreneurial capacity and professional engagement between young creative design entrepreneurs in South Africa and the UK.
The other finalists are from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Oman, Slovenia and Thailand. The UK trip for all the winners includes visits to London and Glasgow, the Design Museum, V&A Museum, the Lighthouse and Glasgow School of Art. Nash will also meet designer Sir Terence Conran and attend seminars.
His work was described by the South African competition adjudicators as 'clever, contemporary and witty'. Pretoria-based product designer Anastasios Calantzis came second and Lise Butler and Amanda Haupt, both of Pretoria, came third for their joint entry.
Andrea Ogle, British Council South Africa co-ordinator, said the council would put together a national touring exhibition of Nash's work on his return.
