NSW Parliamentary Plein Air Photographic Prize

This year sees the inaugural NSW Parliamentary Plein Air Photographic Prize. With its theme asking artists to explore New South Wales landscape in focus, the prize was established to compliment the three year old NSW Parliamentary Plein Air Painting Prize.

Chair of the Community Relations Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian, saw the competition as an opportunity to explore not only the physical landscape of the state but also the socio-cultural environment – “The history of the modern development of rural New South Wales is the history of settlement by people of all backgrounds including the Chinese, Italians, Greeks, Germans, Lebanese and Sikhs who are all well known for their contribution to agriculture and rural life in New South Wales.”

The first, second and third prize winning photographs will be acquired by the Parliament and will form the basis of an ongoing photographic collection, depicting aspects of New South Wales life.

This year’s finalists include: William Yang, Warren Hinder, Rahul Goel, Sylvia Balog, Peter Elliston, Peter Solness, Gordon Undy, Simon Bullard, David Helsham, Louise Whelan, Andrew Quilty, Christian Fletcher, George Tsoutas, Ben Rak, Marcus Stimson, Adam Craven, Kylie Bishop, Rene Vogelzang, Russell Bray, Kajo Merker, Victoria Monk, Jan Newby, Ian Waldie, Ingrid Morley, Jeff Stockton, Jade Cantwell, Neil Duncan, Jeremy Turner, Daniel Irvine, Thomas Rayner, Gary Poulton, Nick Bowers, and Dean Sewell.

The exhibition, at New South Wales Parliament House runs until 23 September with the winners being announced at a gala event on 9 September.