Celebrating Forty Fantastic Finalists
A dynamic visual arts award is up for grabs at the Caloundra Regional Gallery, as part of the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize 2024. Jodie Cameron explores the forty fantastic artists vying for the major prize pool and national exposure beyond the gallery walls…
Shape, line, space, form, texture, and colour – these are the elements of visual design, the building blocks that help an artist communicate, and help the audience understand the piece more clearly. Visual art provides an essential outlet for creativity and emotion, a way for the artist to record human existence by inviting the viewer to use critical thinking and analysis to make sense of it, and this year’s annual acquisitive art prize reflects that full breadth with a new name – Sunshine Coast National Art Prize (formerly Sunshine Coast Art Prize).
Honouring outstanding contemporary two-dimensional and new media arts practice in Australia, the coveted prize is our region’s flagship art award; and the exhibition, which runs until 13 October provides artists with a unique platform to share their work, while building a cultural legacy for current and future generations.
Senior Curator (Collections) Caloundra Regional Gallery, Nina Shadforth, says it’s important as a region that we are known for more than our stunning beaches and holiday vibe, but also for the outstanding cultural experiences the Sunshine Coast offers.
“The exhibition offers some of the best artworks in the country, and is very colourful this year with some very strong messaging,” Nina says. “Taking the prize to a national level has attracted a wider calibre of artists, and each entry is an amazing example of the artist’s skill in working in their chosen medium.”
Exploring various mediums, from traditional oils to digital compositions, the exhibition features painting, drawing, print, photographic, moving image work, installation and assemblage. The Finalists’ work offers a profound and unapologetic interpretation of our world today, and the exhibition is an opportunity for the public to get up close with some of Australia’s progressive visual artists.
“An acquisition art prize means artists from all over Australia have the opportunity to become a part of Sunshine Coast art history,” Nina explains. “We are thrilled to have such a stellar line-up of talented Finalists whose work will contribute to our gallery’s collection.”
Tasmanian Finalist, Paul Snell’s entry Bleed #202374 explores non-objective works that embrace the concept of object-hood, while examining the possibilities of abstraction and minimalism in photomedia.
“My creative process for this artwork centered around exploring and exploiting the emotive and evocative effects of colour, both visually and physically,” Paul said. “As viewers stand before these works, their eyes seek an entry point into the abstract and minimalist compositions, while the matte surfaces absorb light and draw the viewer in.”
Sweet Caroline, by Victorian artist, Renee Broders is a story of passion, capturing the profound connection between two long-lost souls. Through the use of abstract form and a vibrant colour palette, Renee challenges the relationship between colour and shape, to create an intimate portrait of love and lust.
“Delicate and multi-dimensional in its nature, love is symbolised by a single lace glove; its central position emphasises the superficial connection between the two subjects, while the intricacy of the pattern suggests a deeper, more complex affection,” Renee said.
Christoper Zanko from New South Wales entry The Bathroom features a variation of a particular retro looking tile (it was in my childhood home!) found in bathrooms, laundries or kitchens synonymous with the mid-century red brick and fibro houses in his local area of Wollongong, many of which are disappearing.
“Sometimes I feel as though I have seen all of the different colour variations, but then I will incidentally stumble upon a new colour motif,” Christopher says. “By carving this design into wood, it’s a way of enacting a sense of permanence, as the marks cannot be undone.”
While Northern Territory Finalist, Winsome Jobling’s handmade paper entry encroach references the natural world, particularly the tropical Savanna and our impact on it; the paper is made from sustainably harvested local plants.
“I like to see the world as granular, everything made of whirling atoms, action and reaction, impact and repercussions and this granular view of the world creates a sense of the profound unity of all things; we are all made of the same substance as are the stars, the air and the sea,” Winsome says. “As an artist living in Darwin, we are closer to Asia than the rest of Australia, so a national prize can open doors to southern audiences, galleries and opportunities.”
With a total prize pool of more than $35,000 up for grabs, the stakes are high, as are the calibre of the entries.
Award categories include the Major Prize of $25,000; Highly Commended Award of $5,000; and the popular People’s Choice Award returns with a cash prize of $2,500. An Artist Residency is also on offer, inviting the winner to stay on the Sunshine Coast and undertake development of new work, hold workshops or to simply take home their inspirations. Renowned curator and writer, Julie Ewington who from 2001-2014 was Head Curator of Australian Art at QAGOMA, will judge the competition and also choose the Artist Residency winner.
The major prizewinning artwork will be acquired into the Sunshine Coast Art Collection, and the People’s Choice prize is decided by public vote. Visitors can vote for their favourite artwork in person at the exhibition, or online, and all voters go into the draw for a chance to win a $100 gift voucher from the Gallery Store. Voting closes on 22 September, with the winners announced on 3 October.
Pop into Caloundra Regional Gallery, the diversity of this year’s Finalists will astound, uplift, enthuse and make you think. The exhibition runs until 13 October.
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
Carbon Dating
18 October to 8 December
A series of artwork-based experiments featuring Australia’s native grasses.
Nature & Culture – Animal as Object
13 December to 2 February
Explore the objectification of animals through taxidermy and souvenirs.
