Finalists announced for inaugural Footscray Art Prize
More than 140 works have been shortlisted from 800 entries representing artists from across Australia for the inaugural Footscray Art Prize.
The Prize is a unique collaboration of Victoria University, Maribyrnong City Council, Footscray Community Arts Centre, and the Rotary Club of Footscray.
In addition to a $10,000 main prize, the contest will award a $500 street art prize, a $1,500 tertiary art prize, and two $500 young artist’s prize, for total prize money of $17,500.
Winners will be announced Thursday 25 May.
Finalists' works will be exhibited at:
- Footscray Community Arts Centre, 26 May to 24 June (Main prize)
- VU at MetroWest, 26 May to17 June (Tertiary and Young Artists prize)
- various street locations in central Footscray (street art prize).
The judging panel conducted blind selections to shortlist finalists, whose works span photography, video, paintings, sculpture and street art.
Judges for the Footscray Art Prize comprised:
- Geelong Gallery director Jason Smith
- Artist Reko Rennie
- Moonee Ponds Incinerator Gallery curator Richard Ennis
- Creative producer Simon Spain.
Judge Jason Smith said the panel was inspired by the range of submissions.
“The sheer volume, diversity and exceptional merit of artists’ submissions made the shortlisting process a challenging one. We were really struck by the artists’ images of, and connections to, community and their locality,” he said.
