Over 170 works from across Australia have been shortlisted in three categories for the esteemed Footscray Art Prize and will be on display from 7 May – 5 June at Footscray Community Arts Centre and VU at MetroWest.
The judging panel – formed by NGV Curator Myles Russell-Cook, VCA lecturer Vikki McInnes and former Director of Heide Kirsty Grant – selected the shortlisted works following a review of over 830 entries, a record number of entries for the third iteration of the biennial Prize.
"What a joy it was to see the breadth and depth of entries into this year’s FAP, and what a shame we couldn’t include every single one in the exhibition. Heartfelt thanks to all of the artists for holding their nerve during these most challenging of times, and hearty congratulations to all the finalists — it’s going to be quite a show!” - Vikki McInnes
39 artworks are shortlisted in the main category, three in the street art category, and 160 artworks from the young artist categories will be exhibited.
Mediums range from a cardboard protest sign to geographical core samples and a hologram device to delicate ceramic porcelain with recurring themes of isolation and relationships.
“The entries provided a fascinating glimpse into contemporary creative practice around the country, both in terms of trends in the material means artists are working with, and the issues that are most relevant.” - Kirsty Grant
Megan Evans has made the shortlist for the second year in a row with an intricately beaded piece, Layla Vardo will show David Attenborough in a new light through her video, and David Cox, an artist from the Warmun Art Centre who reimagines ways of communicating his Dreaming stories, are just a few of the emerging and established artists to be featured in the exhibition.
“Following lockdown, and a year when many artists were forced to adapt their practice to work in new ways and often under extreme circumstances, each of the entries is a testament to the power of all artists creativity during difficult times.” - Myles Russell-Cook
Shortlisted artists go into the running for a total cash prize pool of $28,000, including the coveted $10,000 main prize, with winners announced on Friday 7 May at the exhibition opening night.
The biennial prize is a unique collaboration between Victoria University, Maribyrnong City Council, Footscray Community Arts Centre, and the Rotary Club of Footscray, who share a commitment to demonstrating and promoting creativity, cultural achievements, and the arts.
List of shortlisted artists:
Arranged alphabetically with the first name.
Footscray Art Prize
Ahmad Sabra
AnthemAmala Groom & Saha Jones
this is a signAnna Kiparis
Midnight MassCarolyn Craig
Proximal Noise: Principles and actions against AnoxiaCassandra Downs
Bilby VesselCassandra Tytler
Oops!Chelle Destefano
Audist CollegeChes Mills
IntricaciesChloe Lee
Dat Thanh Bakery signDarcey Bella Arnold
errored inclusionDavid Cox
Two SistersFassih Keiso
Consolidation: Youth in the Age of War and COVID-19Georgia Banks
She's Beauty, She's GraceJames Hale
25 SpecialJenna Corcoran
I WLD WLKJenna Lee
dis/bound re/boundJessie Deane
Needlepoint Night DocksJohny Salama
1989Kent Morris
Barkindji Blue Sky - Ancestral Connections #4Kurt Medenbach
EpimetheusLaura Woodward
And the Sun was filled with SaltLayla Vardo
Orders of MagnitudeLee Harrop
And this, too, shall passLinda Sok
Salt Water DelugeMark Forbes
EmptinessMegan Evans
Mother CountryNaomi Nicholls
Gradient Cutting #1Nicholas Burridge
Fluid RockPatrick Snelling
My FootscrayPaul Briggs
Enter the Dragon/FootscrayPeter Burke
Take lasagne out of fridgePhu La
Neville meets DevilRiana Head-Toussaint
First LanguageRozalind Drummond
Field StudiesRyan Andrew Lee
Wonnarua, 2019Scotty So
As She...Simon Clark
Gaskin GardensStephen Palmer and Nina Ross
Union BannerTim Van
Featherweight Cannon
Street art
Emma Coulter
Spatial deconstruction # 25 (perceptual vortex)Hayden Dewar
I can hear a ringtail possumJaime Powell
Tree
Young Artists
All young artist entries are displayed in the exhibition.