Extraordinary exhibition
ART
THE work of some of Australia’s most talented leading and emerging artists will be on show in the diverse Geelong contemporary art prize exhibition at Geelong Gallery.
Thirty-six pieces, selected from 565 individual works submitted for consideration by 461 artists from around Australia, have been shortlisted for the prestigious prize and will feature in the biennial exhibition, which begins Saturday, June 9.
The varied selection demonstrates the diversity of contemporary painting practice in Australia. Paintings explore a broad range of topics, genres and stylistic approaches, including landscape, portraiture and still-life.
The selection panel for the prize features prominent art world figures including guest judges Justin Paton, head curator of international art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and Shepparton Arts Museum director Rebecca Coates.
Geelong Gallery senior curator Lisa Sullivan was also on the selection panel, and said there was a “high number of prominent artists” in contention for the prize.
“(This) reflects the national standing and status of the Geelong contemporary art prize, as well as the regard that artists hold for the prize and the appeal of potentially being acquired into a nationally significant collection such as Geelong’s,” Ms Sullivan said.
“The shortlist also includes a number of younger and nonrepresented (by commercial galleries) artists which adds greatly to the cross-generational mix,” she said.
“It’s important that the prize is relevant to artists at different stages of their career. And by including the work of younger artists, we’re welcoming them into the gallery’s program, building important relationships and also providing an exhibition of great diversity and relevance for our visitors.”
Ms Sullivan said that in representing some of the country’s finest established and emerging artists, the exhibition provided a “particular survey of current approaches to subject matter, genres, and stylistic diversity”.
“Painting continues to be one of the most engaging and enduring disciplines in the visual arts, and each of the finalists in this exhibition exemplifies artists’ unique engagement with the material qualities of paint to configure their idiosyncratic vision of their internal or external worlds,” she said.
“In 2018 we warmly acknowledge the Dimmick Charitable Trust and Mercedes Benz Geelong for their support of the prize.”
The winner of the $30,000 acquisitive prize will be announced next Friday night. The Geelong contemporary art prize exhibition will show at the Geelong Gallery daily between 10am and 5pm from Saturday, June 9, until Sunday, August 19. Entry is free.