Fanning the flames

Organisers say the prototype can be designed to hold any shape or size of a candle, from small tealights through to long, thin dinner table candlesticks or short, thick long-burning candles. Oil lamps with wicks will also be considered. The key word for the theme is 'flame' - no lamps featuring electrical fittings, bulbs or batteries will be accepted.

Carrol Boyes, convenor of METAL and founder and CEO of Carrol Boyes Functional Art explains her choice: "The flame is one of humankind's most ancient tools and it has always symbolised the warmth and comfort of home. Although we used to use candles and lamps for light and warmth, today we use them to create a special mood and ambience. This year's theme is exciting because it allows for a very broad range of interpretations that are not limited by size or shape."

METAL is designed to provide career and financial opportunities to budding artists wishing to break into the field of design, who don't necessarily have related experience or design qualifications.

All entrants have to do is design an innovative functional art candle holder or oil lamp of any size, make a three-dimensional example of their design and submit it along with a completed entry form, a copy of their ID and a one page CV to Carrol Boyes Functional Art.

Entry forms for METAL 2006 are available at Carrol Boyes stockists country wide, at public libraries, post offices, community art centres and galleries. Entry forms can also be downloaded from www.carrolboyes.co.za