Art lovers are in for a treat, with forty finalists in the 2019 Sunshine Coast Art Prize revealed today.
The exceptional works by established and emerging artists from across the country were selected from a high calibre field of 410 entries and will be showcased in the Sunshine Coast Art Prize exhibition at Caloundra Regional Gallery from July 24 to September 15.
Winners will be announced at the official exhibition opening on Thursday, August 29.
The major prize winner will receive $25,000 cash, sponsored by Sunshine Coast Council, and the winning artwork will join past Sunshine Coast Art Prize winning works in the Sunshine Coast Art Collection.
Arts Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski said the art prize attracted some of Australia’s best contemporary and emerging artists.
“The Sunshine Coast Art Prize is now one of the nation’s leading regional art awards and the growing acclaim has attracted entries from an exciting range of first-time as well as contemporary artists with strong national and international profiles,” Cr Baberowski said.
“I think it’s arguable that this year’s deep spread of entries plot a definite shift to artworks with stronger narratives and bolder expressions of mood, colour and pattern.
“In my view, the 2019 finalist exhibition is one to see, for me it has artwork that is more demanding of its audience and reflects a return to greater confidence in our artists to interpret and comment on the times we live in.
“In essence, it’s a strong body of work that is an apt reflection of contemporary 2D arts practice in Australia – Don’t miss it!”
Selected works include oil and acrylic painting, print, textile, drawing and photography.
Before the exhibition opens, the 40 finalist artworks can be viewed online by visiting the gallery website.
The Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2019 will be judged by museum and gallery curator, and VAULT Australasian Art & Culture magazine editor, Alison Kubler.
The art prize offers a prize pool of more than $30,000 in cash and prizes including:
An acquisitive major prize of $25,000 cash sponsored by Sunshine Coast Council;
- A non-acquisitive Highly Commended prize of $5000 sponsored by the De Deyne family;
- A non-acquisitive People’s Choice prize of $2500 sponsored by Caloundra Chamber of Commerce;
- A Sunshine Coast Art Prize Residency sponsored by Montville Country Cabins and Caloundra Regional Gallery.
Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2019 finalists:
Sally Anderson (NSW)
Monika Behrens (NSW)
Karen Black (NSW)
Jeremy Blincoe (VIC)
Stephen Bush (VIC)
Jandamarra Cadd (QLD)
Ray Coffey (QLD)
Sam Cranstoun (QLD)
Gerwyn Davies (NSW)
Fernando do Campo (NSW)
James Dodd (SA)
Chris Dolman (NSW)
Stefan Dunlop (QLD)
Genevieve Felix Reynolds (VIC)
Diena Georgetti (VIC)
Helga Groves (VIC)
Kim Guthrie (QLD)
Neil Haddon (TAS)
Rochelle Hayley (NSW)
Dana Harris (VIC)
Naomi Hobson (QLD)
Natalya Hughes (QLD)
Mason Kimber (NSW)
Netta Loogatha (QLD)
Fiona Lowry (NSW)
Sam Martin (VIC)
Abbey McCulloch (QLD)
Laith McGregor (NSW)
Rob McHaffie (VIC)
Roland Nancarrow (QLD)
Catherine O’Donnell (NSW)
Aaron Perkins (QLD)
Sam Scoufos (QLD)
Sandra Selig (QLD)
Peter Sharp (NSW)
Marian Tubbs (NSW)
Mark Tweedie (WA)
Verge Collective (QLD)
Deborah Walker (VIC)
Amber Wallis (NSW)
