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Art Gallery Manning Regional
The Manning Regional Art Gallery is currently preparing the biennial “Naked & Nude Art Prize”. WE CAUGHT UP WITH MANNING REGIONAL ART GALLERY DIRECTOR RACHEL PIERCY about this unique art award, which is opening to the public on September 7.
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he Naked & Nude Art Prize is quite unique, isn’t it? Can you tell FOCUS readers about the background behind this Art Prize? Naked & Nude Art Prize is the only art award of its kind in Australia and attracts entries from across Australia from artists at all stages of their careers, working in all mediums. The theme “Naked & Nude” is an evocative platform for creative inspiration, and artists delve into representations of the human form. With a history dating back to ancient times across many cultures, the exposed human figure is one the most enduring themes in the visual arts, and remains relevant to artists across all disciplines. The prize was originally called the Manning Art Prize, which commenced in 1990, with entries open to Australasian artists. Special thanks are extended to Dr Philip Walkom and Mrs Dusty Walkom OAM, Gallery Patrons and major sponsors Wendy is one of Australia’s of the prize since its inception. most awarded artists; she Who won the last Naked & Nude Art lives and works in Prize - and what was their art work? Sydney and Paris. She The 2017 Naked & Nude Art Prize was has been awarded won by Melbourne artist Dagmar Cyrulla, the Sulman Prize, with her oil on linen work titled, The Phone the Portia Geach Memorial Award and the Archibald Call IV. Prize and many others. What can we expect this time around? The lucrative event this year carries a Bushell, Daniel Butterworth, $30,000 Acquisitive Prize, with the winning Jodi Clark, Robbie Crane, entry acquired by the Friends of the Gemma Cross, Cam Crossley, Dagmar Cyrulla, Ryan Gallery and donated to the Manning Regional Art Gallery William Daffurn, Jackson Davies, Beverley Davies, Jesse permanent collection. A special people’s choice award Dayan, Tamara Dean, Jesse Dolman, Ken Done, Olivier of $1,000 will be awarded by the visiting public at the Duhamel, Rory Fink, Stefano Flonta, Todd Fuller, Caroline conclusion of the exhibition. Gibbes, Jessica Guthrie, Rachel Hannan, Lyn Harrison, What about past winners of the Art Prize? Geoff Harvey, Michelle Hawkins, Sally Hook, Vanessa Previous winners of the prize include Robert Malherbe, Howells, Julie Hutchings, Zai Kuang, Elena Larkin, Kim Dagmar Cyrulla and Wendy Sharpe. Wendy is one of Leutwyler, Laura Matthews, Jocelyn Maughan, Freyja Australia’s most awarded artists; she lives and works in Moon, Joanne Mulcahy-Zubani, Nathan Paddison, Alice Sydney and Paris. She has been awarded the Sulman Prize, Palmer, Tom Phillips, Anton Piche, Jenny Pollak, James the Portia Geach Memorial Award and the Archibald Prize Price, Kate Rae, Jenny Rodgerson, Bruce Rowland, Ben and many others. Ryan, Michael Simms, Roger Skinner, Gary Smith, Mark So, who are the finalists in the Art Prize this year? Thompson, John van der Kolk, Jan Hendrik (Hans) van There are 58 finalists in the prize this year from all over Weerd, Peter Wegner, Nicole Welch, Leigha White, Ainslie Australia, with one artist coming from New Zealand: Laura Badertscher, Eva Beltran, Matteo Bernasconi, Satu Wright, Caroline Zilinsky.
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Who is judging the Art Prize - what’s their background? This year’s judge is Denise Mimmochi, Senior Curator of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of NSW. When can the general public go and view the Art Prize for themselves? The exhibition is open from September 7 to October 13. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and Sundays, 1pm to 4pm. The popular People’s Choice voting will take place from September 7, 2019, until October 13, 2019, giving locals the chance to vote for their favourite artwork. The People’s Choice Award of $1,000 will be announced on 15th October 2019. Thanks Rachel. Interview: Ingrid Bayer.