Prize season round up 2018

Prize season is upon us, with a slew of artists winning some of the calendar’s most prestigious prizes, finalists coming to the fore and galleries holding exhibitions to show off award works to the public.

Linda Marrinon was recently announced as the recipient of the Don Macfarlane Prize. The annual $50,000 gift is awarded to an established artist for their contribution to Australian art and their influential arts practice. This is a particularly unique prize as there is no application process. Finalists and the winner are decided by an Advisory Committee comprising senior members of Australia’s visual arts community. About Marrinon, the committee said: “For more than three decades, Linda has worked with diligence and determination in pursuit of her vision… the force of her work is a testament to her steadfast and honest commitment to making art. This award recognises her incredible contribution to Australian art.”

The Shepparton Art Museum has announced Yhonnie Scarce as the winner of the 2018 Indigenous Ceramic Arad (ICA) for her sculptural work ‘Servant and Slave’, 2018. Valued at $20,000, the ICA is considered the most prestigious prize for Indigenous ceramicists in Australia. It supports Indigenous artists to grow their practice and provides a national platform to share personal and cultural stories. Scarce was selected from among seven finalists who demonstrated a diverse and unique interpretation of the ceramic medium.

Meanwhile, The Paddington Art Prize has announced its finalists. This national art prize is for a painting inspired by the Australian landscape and the overall winner will receive $30,000. A finalists’ exhibition will be held from 15 to 22 September at Menzies Art Brands, Kensington.

Over in South Australia, 59 finalists have been announced for this year’s Kennedy Prize. The national art competition awards the winner $25,000 and aims to inspire artists to create works of excellence, cultural relevance, commercial value and beauty. A finalists’ exhibition will be held from 8 to 23 September at the Royal South Australian Society of the Arts at the State Library.

In Queensland, the winner of the prestigious Churchie National Emerging Art Prize will be announced later this week, with an award exhibition held at QUT Art Museum, Brisbane, from 8 September to 4 November.

Image: Linda Marrinon, ‘Woman with water basin’, 2018, terracotta, 32 x 23 x 12 cm. Courtesy: the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney.