A record number of entries for the 2021 Kilgour Prize has been whittled down to 30, with the finalists of the prestigious art prize announced on Friday.
Three Newcastle-based artists – Gillian Adamson (in her first year competing), Nick Fintan and John Earle will compete against creatives from every Australian state and territory for the long-running prize which, this year attracted a record 476 entries.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton said the Kilgour Prize presents some of the best examples of contemporary Australian portrait and figurative painting.
“The Kilgour Prize encourages Australian artists to pursue and push the boundaries of portraiture and figurative painting,” she said.
“This year’s selected artists present diverse interpretations of the brief, resulting in a very dynamic exhibition with works focussing on everything from experiences in lockdown through to scenes of everyday life.
“The quality of the works will make the selection process all the more difficult, but that is a wonderful challenge to have.”
The Kilgour Prize awards $50,000 for the most outstanding work entered into the annual competition, which is administered by Newcastle Art Gallery and funded by a bequest from artist Jack Noel Kilgour. An additional $5,000 is awarded to the painting voted most popular by the general public.
This year, the prize will be judged by Head of Curatorial at Campbelltown Arts Centre Adam Porter, Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton, and Head Fine Art Teacher at Newcastle Art School, David Trout.
]Since its inception in 2006, almost 2900 works have been entered into the Kilgour Prize.
Almost 2900 works have been entered into the KILGOUR PRIZE since it was established in 2006.
2021 Kilgour Prize Finalists
Lisa Adams, Gillian Adamson, Matteo Bernasconi, Jackson Booth, Catherine Boreham, Julie-Ann Brown, Simon Brown, Daniel Butterworth, Emily Jayne Carroll, John Dahlsen, Archer Davies, Rachelle Dusting, John Earle, David Fairbairn, Nick Fintan, Christine Fontana, Miriam Fraser, Michael Lindeman, Nunzio Miano, Robert O’Connor, Nathan Paddison, Lori Pensini, Alice Pulvers, James R Randall, Zeljka Reljan-Music, Grace Kemarre Robinya, Paul Ryan, Jason Tolmie, Mick Turner and Mark Tweedie.
The exhibition will be on display at Newcastle Art Gallery from Friday 13 August until Sunday 31 October, with People’s Choice voting open until Wednesday 6 October.
The winner will be announced on Friday 13 August, with the People’s Choice prize awarded on Monday 11 October. Head here for more information.
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