Georges River Art Prize 2021 winners announced

The winners of the Georges River Art Prize 2021 have been announced, with Stuart Watters taking out the top acquisitive prize of $10,000 for his painting Cruel summer, in a category that saw the Australian landscape featured prominently.

The $5,000 Georges River Sculpture Prize went to Sumatran-born Jayanto Tan for Potluck party (Jajan Pasar Street sweet delicacies), a colourful ceramic tribute to Indonesian food.

The $4,000 acquisitive Georges River Local Artist Prize and solo exhibition to be presented at Hurstville Museum & Gallery in 2022 was awarded to Noor Shadood for a painting titled A blissful moment in a chaotic world. 

Announced last Friday night by Georges River Council Mayor Cr Kevin Greene, the winners of the biennial award were chosen from more than 350 entries from across Australia, marking an increased number of entrants since the Prize’s 2019 iteration. Several Highly Commended honours were also given across the painting and sculpture categories.

The judging panel comprised Alison Clark, curatorial and arts management specialist, Simon Chan, director Art Atrium, and figurative painter, Steve Lopes, who were impressed by the calibre and diversity of entries in all categories.

The Georges River Art Prize represents an important cultural event for the local area situated to the south-west of Sydney, providing opportunities for artists to share their work within the community. With additional winners announced for the Georges River Little Artist Prize (ages 7-12 years) and Youth Prize (ages 13-17 years), the Prize also gives local young artists a platform to display their works.

The winning and finalist works for the Georges River Art Prize and Sculpture Prize are currently on display at Hurstville Museum & Gallery, until 20 January 2022. The Georges River Youth Prize and Little Artist Prize are on show at Clive James Library and Service Centre, Kogarah.

With the Georges River People’s Choice Prize and Favourite Young Artist Prize yet to be determined, visitors to the exhibitions are encouraged to cast their votes on their favourite artists before the winners are announced online on 10 January 2022.

For more information about the Georges River Art Prize, visit: www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/GRAP

Full list of winners:

Georges River Art Prize – $10,000 acquisitive

Winner: Stuart Watters, Cruel summer

Highly commended: Julianne Ross Allcorn, Jacqueline Balassa, Kate Briscoe

Georges River Sculpture Prize – $5,000

Winner: Jayanto Tan, Potluck party (Jajan Pasar Street sweet delicacies)

Highly commended: Fleur Brett

Georges River Local Artist Prize – $4,000 acquisitive and a solo exhibition

Winner: Noor Shadood, A blissful moment in a chaotic world

Georges River Youth Prize (13 – 17 years of age) – $300 materials voucher

Winner: Miranda Sun, The art room

Highly commended: Lucy Liang, Yiling Wang, Eric Yang

Georges River Little Artist Prize (7 – 12 years of age) – $200 materials voucher

Winner: Imogen Chen, Succulent

Highly commended: Toby Zhuo, Emma Zhang, Damian Noor

This article was originally published 15 November 2021.

Image: Installation view, Georges River Art Prize 2021.