2015 Portia Geach Memorial Finalists
Fifty-five finalists have been announced this week for the Portia Geach Memorial Award. This year the portrait prize celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking a critical milestone for the Award’s role in recognising and supporting a strong culture of female artists.
With over 295 entries this year, the ongoing popularity of the award only speaks of its relevance and importance as a platform from which emerging and established female artists can project their practice.
The impressive list of artists are all in line for the $30,000 annual award. To see the full list of finalists click here.
On behalf of the judging panel, Jane Watters, Director S.H. Ervin Gallery said: “The judges were delighted with the number of submissions and the diversity of approaches in this year’s award.
The judging panel for this year’s award comprised Publisher and Trustee of Art Gallery of New South Wales, Eleonora Triguboff, Trustee of Art Gallery of New South Wales, Samantha Meers and Director S.H Ervin Gallery, Jane Watters,
Jane Watters, Director S.H. Ervin Gallery commented on this year’s entrants, stating, “The judges were delighted with the number of submissions and the diversity of approaches in this year’s award.”
“We were particularly pleased with the independence of vision drawing upon wide ranges of personal imagery that reflect influences from both historical and contemporary art. We trust that the selection recognises the commitment of Australian female artists and reflects the innovation in contemporary portraiture.”
Always intriguing are the sitters included in the Award each year. Well-known subjects this year include Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, singer Katie Noonan, comedian Judith Lucy, writer Marieke Hardy, ABC broadcaster James Valentine and former politician Barry Jones.
The winner of the 2015 Portia Geach Memorial Award will be revealed on 17 September with an exhibition of all finalists open for viewing by the public at the S.H. Ervin Gallery, The Rocks from 18 September to 25 October 2015.
EXHIBITION
Portia Geach Memorial Award 2015
18 September – 25 October 2015
S.H. Ervin Gallery
Image: 2008 winner Jude Rae, Self Portriat 2008 (the year my husband left), 2008, acrylic and oil on canvas, 153 x 198cm
Courtesy the artist and S.H. Ervin Gallery
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