Bruce Slatter wins 2014 Bankwest Art Prize

The 2014 Bankwest Art Prize has been awarded to artist Bruce Slatter from Riverdale.

Selected from a competitive field of 17 Western Australian finalists, Slatter’s work Expedition Recollection, was awarded the $30,000 Art Prize at the opening of the 2014 Bankwest Prize exhibition in Perth.

Slatter explained the concept behind his sculpture stating, “Expedition Recollection is a sculptural visualisation of real and imagined ambitious adventures. This work brings together the language of museum and domestic cabinets with vivid and impossible crafted narrative that reflects a playful frivolity as well as the sometimes anxious and momentous spectacle of human experience.”

This is the first time the Bankwest Art Prize called for three-dimensional works, inspiring entries from established artists such as Tim Burns, Mark Grey-Smith, Theo Koning and Bela Kotai, as well as a fresh wave of talent including Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, Paul Kaptein and Joshua Webb.

As part of the Bankwest Art Collection, Expedition Recollection will join one of the state’s most significant corporate collections, holding work by 450 Western Australian artists.

“This exhibition and the Bankwest Art Collection showcase the outstanding quality of artwork and talent in our state and reinforce our commitment to supporting the Western Australian arts community. We’re now very fortunate to include Bruce’s winning piece in our art collection.” Said Rob De Luca; Bankwest Managing Director.

This year’s judges – Bankwest Art Curator, Sandra Murray; Senior Curator, Australian Art, Art Gallery of NSW, Deborah Edwards; and senior WA sculptor, Lou Lambert – described the winning work as “a sophisticated and wry cabinet of curiosities featuring miniaturised worlds of imagination and aspiration, with a quirky play on scale and astute juxtaposition of elements”.

“These artists are at the forefront of contemporary sculptural practice in Western Australia. Their works embody a level of complexity and refinement that situates them clearly within both a national and global context,” said Ms Murray.

The works of the 2014 finalists are on display at the Bankwest Art Gallery at the iconic institution’s headquarters, Bankwest Place in the Perth CBD. The exhibition is open to the public until 6 March 2015.

The public is invited to vote for their favourite artwork to win the $5,000 People’s Choice Award either in person when visiting the exhibition, or via www.bankwest.com.au/artprize – which will be announced on 10 February 2015.

EXHIBITION
2014 Bankwest Art Prize
Bankwest Art Gallery
Until 6 March 2015

Image: Bruce Slatter, Expedition Recollection, 2014
Courtesy the artist and the Bankwest Art Gallery