2014 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize
The Moran Arts Foundation has announced 150 semi-finalists for the annual Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, selected by Edmund Capon AM OBE and artist Lewis Miller.
Established in 1988 as part of Australia’s bicentennial celebrations, now 26 years later the award has grown in stature and celebrity attracting close to 1000 entries this year. Images of all the 150 semi-finalist works can be viewed here.
Inviting entries of original works from Australian artists, the selection will be narrowed down to 30 who will display at the 2014 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize exhibition from the 29 October at Juniper Hall in Paddington.
The winner will be announced on 28 October and awarded $150 000, and each of the 30 successful finalists will be given $1000.
Co-judge Edmund Capon commented on the past success of the prize, stating, “the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize has been embraced, not only by the artistic community, but also by the general public. It has galvanised a lot of interest because of the size of the prize, and also because of the quality of entries it attracts. The fact that free entry is offered to the exhibition immediately brings it to a broader audience.”
On his focus during the heavy selection process of narrowing works from 1000 to 150 Capon added, “As a judge you are very consciously looking and selecting a number of works from a very large number of entries, with a view to putting together an exhibition that you hope is going to say something about the state of portrait painting in Australia. I feel that it’s good to have a broad spread of styles and attitudes and ways of interpreting the human condition. If I saw something that was very unusual, that spoke to me, I wanted it to be included.”
The exhibition will also include finalists in Australia’s most valuable contemporary photography award, the Moran Contemporary Photography Prize, offering $50,000 to the winner, and $1,000 to 30 finalists.
EXHIBITION
2014 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize
29 October 2014 -15 February 2015
Juniper Hall, Paddington
Image: Anthony Bennett, study for a portrait of reg
Courtesy the artist
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