Hi,
Did you miss ArtHeat? Well, I'm back, after having a niceish break. I still feel like shit and hate everything, but at least I know now that it is my personality and not because I haven't had a holiday. But seriously, thanks to all my readers and supporters who have made this last year great. Hope you'll all come ride with me for another year.

Talking of the year, I asked some friends to submit their year end best-of lists. While not everyone was forthcoming (I might add to this later), here's some:

Robert Sloon said:
Best Show
Kathryn Smith’s In Camera. Creepy, mean art. I like it.

Worst Show
Powerplay at Goodman Cape, which had potential but lacked guts.

Best Newcomer
Rowan Smith, even if he is a pretty boy, and maybe Christian Nerf and Douglas Gimberg, somedays.
Katherine Jacobs has been producing nice writing for ArtThrob, and Francis Burger has been writing nice bits and pieces.

How you lost faith in the Art world this year
Pure unbridled boredom, too often. Can’t even think who to blame.
I appeared on TV edited to sound like a doos. That hurt.

Why you are still here
I’m having a show in June. Can’t cop out before trying. And I relaunched ArtHeat.
And the Joburg Art Fair reminded me that there actually is a market for contemporary art.

The Robert Sloon Award for single worst piece of art made in 2008
The girl who made her name William Kentridge. Was that even this year? The psychological shock waves are still crushing me. And that fool who did the Real Avant Car Guard, that was so stupid my teeth ache.

The Robert Sloon Award for single happiest piece of art made in 2008
Willie Saayman’s Absent Father drawing which is now happily sitting above my TV.

Ed Young said:


Best Show
James Webb

Worst Show
James Webb

Best Newcomer
James Webb
How you lost faith in the Art world this year
James Webb

Why you are still here
James Webb

The Robert Sloon Award for single worst piece of art made in 2008
James Webb

The Robert Sloon Award for single happiest piece of art made in 2008
James Webb

Tim Leibbrandt said:
Best Show
Prints & Editions at Whatiftheworld.

Demonstrating why Whatiftheworld basically cleaned up this year, this was a very well done display of "Nah, nah nah, look who we've got!" Stuart Bird, Charles Maggs, Rowan Smith, Georgina Gratrix, Lizza Littlewort... all contenders for "Best Show" in their own right. Chuck in Dan Halter, Avant Car Guard, Doing it for Daddy, Julia Rosa Clark and the Sloonster himself and you have one hell of a show. To misquote Avant Car Guard's Dumb Colour Guide works, Great Artists+ Clever Theme+ Sexy Curating = Best Show

Worst Show
Norman O'Flynn's 'The Butterfly Project'. I don't get it.

Best Newcomer
Rowan Smith. Future Shock Lost was a beast of a debut show and an affirmation of why that Michaelis Prize went sailing his way. Now get cracking on some new work so we can all go "Oooooo!" again.

How you lost faith in the Art world this year
Pamela Stretton had another exhibition. God help us all.
Why you are still here
"I am in blood
Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er."
Macbeth. ACT III Scene 4.

Also: Max Wolpe paintings, Willem Boshoff opening speeches and gallery snacks.

The Robert Sloon Award for single worst piece of art made in 2008
Just one? Geez. This Anthea Moys disaster from the Power Play exhibition:


The Robert Sloon Award for single happiest piece of art made in 2008
The award goes to the guy who made this:



What? That doesn't count? Okay then Lizza Littlewort's "Dear Damien" about selling a Pierneef during the South African art boom.