Twenty-two artists have been selected to exhibit in the inaugural ‘Elaine Bermingham National Watercolour Prize in Landscape Painting’ finalist exhibition 2017. A high number of entries were received from across Australia, with finalists representing most Australian states, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia.
The 2017 Finalists are:
Tanya Baily (NSW)
Leah Bullen (NSW)
Stephen Bird (NSW)
Maryanne Coutts (NSW)
Sam Cranstoun (QLD)
Charlie Donaldson (QLD)
Mitchell Donaldson (QLD)
Robert Fenton (VIC)
Jane Grealy (QLD)
Belem Lett (NSW)
Graham Marchant (NSW)
Penny Mason (TAS)
Fiona McMonagle (NSW)
Deb Mostert (QLD)
Nicola Moss (QLD)
Elizabeth Nelson (VIC)
Monica Rohan (QLD)
Camille Serisier (QLD)
Jackson Slattery (VIC)
Karen Stephens (QLD)
Naomi White (QLD)
Laura Williams (WA)
The pre-selection panel consisted of artist and Queensland College of Art Fine Art programme advisor, Julie Fragar, multi-disciplinary artist Chris Bennie, and director of Griffith Artworks Angela Goddard.
Pre-Selection Judge, Chris Bennie, said the standard of entries to the 2016/17 Bermingham Prize was very high.
“I am confident my colleagues and I have finalised an exhibition that successfully communicates the currency of watercolour as a significant, engaging and developing medium within Australian art,” he said.
We are also pleased to announce artist Michael Zavros as the Principal judge for 2017. Michael is a leading Australian artist whose work has been exhibited in major museums throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe. His exceptional painting skills and extensive knowledge of contemporary Australian art will be of immense value to the judging process.
The selected artists will have their artwork showcased in the finalist exhibition opening on the 9 February 2017. The Major Prize ($20,000) and two Highly Commended Awards ($2,000 each) will be announced at the opening event on Friday 10 February 2017, open to the public from 6-8pm.
