Drawing inspiration for top art prize
A bomb site and textured art have earned an artist a spot in the finals of a prestigious art competition.
Originally from Eastbourne, artist Billy Wilson has had two pieces selected as finalists for the national Parkin Drawing Prize.
It is the first time he has entered the competition.
For Wilson, his first choice was easy - Ancestor - a ‘‘2D work with a very 3D quality’’, created with crumpled paper and charcoal.
‘‘I made it specifically for the awards - about 10 years ago, I’d made a very small version as a student,’’ he says.
However, he had a tough time choosing his second piece and tossed up between two of his works before settling on Bomb Site.
‘‘I really agonised over the two of them. [Bomb Site] was a new direction for me.’’
Wilson spends a lot of his time working with abstract art and Bomb Site is a step away from his normal style.
The charcoal drawing depicts an unknown city and plays with horizon lines to draw the viewer into the art.
Wilson is one of eight artists to have two works shortlisted in this year’s competition - the highest number of double entries ever shortlisted.
Two other Hutt artists have also been recognised as finalists.
Naenae’s Sian Torrington is nominated for Busting Belly and Justine Walker, from Hutt Central, for Do undo redo.
The judges received 502 entries and had the task of narrowing that down to 84. The overall winner will receive $20,000, while 10 other artists will receive highly commended awards.
The winner will be announced at the opening night of the Parkin Drawing Prize exhibition on August 1 at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts.
All the shortlisted works will be on display from August 2 to September 3.
Prize founder Chris Parkin said he was thrilled to see such a response to the award, now in its fifth year.
‘‘I am looking forward to seeing the diverse range of artworks on show at the gallery and getting the drawing conversation going,’’ he says.