Fort Myers, Florida â Robert Casterline of Museum Works Galleries, has announced that that American born painter, Marcus Antonius Jansen, has been selected as one of only 5 artists from the United States invited to participate in the 2010 International Fine Art Collection, to celebrate the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africaâ¢. Only 5 artists from each of the 32 qualifying nations have been selected and invited to interpret this historical event. The event is scheduled to be held in Cape Town, South Africa. The 2010 International Fine Art Collection has been opened to 160 of the worldâs leading artists from only 32 qualifying countries. The artists are being commissioned to produce an original work inspired by the first African FIFA World Cupâ¢. These 160 works will be reproduced as signed, limited edition prints to be exhibited through 32 simultaneous exhibitions worldwide in 2010. The very first of these works were unveiled at Decorex Cape Town. Rob Spaull, General Manager of 2010 Fine Art said recently, "In its eighty year history the FIFA World CupTM has evolved into so much more than simply the most-watched sporting event on Earth, it has become a global symbol of excellence, bridging divides and uniting people around the world in a shared passion for the event. In 2010 it becomes even greater - with the first African FIFA World CupTM. To celebrate the world returning to Africa we are launching 2010 Fine Art - one of the largest and most ambitious international art collaborations in history." It was announced that 45 international artists from six continents had already agreed to participate in the 2010 International Fine Art Collection. "We are honored to have artists of the caliber of Spain's Eleazar; Argentina's Pablo di Masso; Australia's Richard Birmingham; and Japan's Kimi Sakaki already on board" said Spaull. They have already unveiled the very first work accepted into the Collection - âAfrica Twirl' by England's Peter Phillips, known as the Father of British Pop Art and a contemporary of Andy Warhol. Spaull stated, âOur plan is to launch the bulk of the Collection in early December to coincide with the final FIFA draw here in Cape Town." About Marcus Antonius Jansen Marcus Antonius Jansen was born in Manhattan New York City in 1968. His work is noted in Who's Who in American Art, Who's Who in International Art and can be found in international collections such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Moscow Museum of Art (MMOMA), The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art, Taiwan. He served in the United States Military for eight years and after discharge concentrated on his career as a painter, becoming an internationally sought after artist. Marcus Antonius Jansen is considered a leading artist of Urban Expressionism in the 21st Century. Over the last decade, his paintings have often featured political and social commentary, questioning the current transitions in the world at present. Jansen delivers a distorted reality often using urban settings as his stage to communicate to his audience, transforming ordinary grey streets into some of the most characteristic pieces of art to date. Marcus Antonius Jansen is continuously pushing the boundaries of his medium and subject. Recent awards and commissions include selected for the 12th. International Print & Drawing Biennial, at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art in Taiwan, Tampa Museum of Art Award Winner and selected artist for the Warner Brothers Wizard of OZ 70th Anniversary celebration in Hollywood. For more detailed information regarding Marcus Antonius Jansen, please contact Robert Casterline at 970-948-0393 or via email at robertcasterline (at) aol.com http://www.marcusjansen.com # # #