Whatshot
Guy Buttery Receives Standard Bank Young Artist Award 2018
Guy Buttery Receives Standard Bank Young Artist Award 2018
Renowned Durban based guitar player Guy Buttery has been presented with the Standard Bank Young Artist award for 2018 in the music category. Now in its 36th year, the Standard Bank Young Artist (SBYA) awards are the country's leading arts award conferred by the National Arts Festival and Standard Bank on deserving young South African artists. Breaking a tradition that has been in place since 1981, this the first time in its history that the award has been given to an artist outside of the classical realm. Guy Buttery joins the prestigious pantheon of award winning artists who've gone on to shape South Africa's creative economy and art history.
Guy Butteryis an immensely talented composer and guitarist. He plays like a manon a search to stretch the boundaries of fingerstyle guitar to their outermost limits and he is winning.Buttery has found a way to play his unique style of guitar that is deeply South African while also speaking a global musical language. There's credibility to his being described by pundits as a South African musical treasure. An overjoyed Guy Buttery says:
"I understand this is the first time that it has been presented to a non-classical musician which I believe speaks volumes for both the SBYA committee and the award itself for branching out and recognising other musical genres. For this reason, and the fact it is considered the highest accolade for the arts in the country, this honour has always existed far outside the realms of possibility for me. I am deeply humbled by this."
South Africa's Minister of Arts and Culture Mr Nathi Mthethwa extended a congratulatory note to the artist: "You are a shining example of the talent and commitment of South African artists and we look forward to seeing more of your work realised in the years to come." National Arts Festival Executive Producer Ashraf Johaardien says:"The Standard Bank Young Artist platform is about securing and investing in the future of the arts. The list of illustrious Awards alumni dating back to 1981 includes iconic creatives like William Kentridge, Mbongeni Ngema, Sibongile Khumalo, Helen Sebidi, Mathinus Basson, Robyn Orlin, Darrell Roodt and others like them whose practice and artistic vision have helped shape the South African cultural landscape."
The award winners in the various artistic genres are selected by the National Arts Festival Committee, chaired by Brett Bailey. All decisions regarding winners are made jointly by the committee.