Following an impressive 897 entries to the ‘William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize 2017′, the Monash Gallery of Art (MGA) will showcase works from the finalists with the winner announced on the opening night of October 14.
David Rosetzky, Karlo, 2017, gelatin silver print, 58.5 x 48cm
Artist and educator Susan Fereday, architect and collector Corbett Lyon and MGA Senior Curator Stephen Zagala selected the nominees. Speaking on the prize, Fereday admits, “choosing works was tough – there were enough strong photographs to fill several shows”. The judges are excited to present images that embody a shifting and diverse culture of artists who focus on gender diversity, LGBTQI rights, repatriation of indigenous remains, bio-diversity in first nations and drone photography.
Christian Thompson, Purified By Fire, 2017, chromogenic print, 120 x 120cm. Courtesy Michael Reid Gallery, Sydney + Berlin
Zagala stated that “herbal plant-heads, totemic ciphers, ritualistic gestures and shamans conjuring meaning from photography’s chemical processes” represented the signature symbols of the works and will help make the showcase cohesive and engaging. 59 participants have been chosen, among them Nasim Nasr, David Rosetzky, Christian Thompson, Gerwyn Davis and this year’s Olive Cotton award winner; Justine Varga, whose experimental approach to photography has been discussed widely this year.
Nasim Nasr, Forty Pages no.5, 2016, pigment ink-jet print, 100 x 80cm. Courtesy GAGPROJECTS | Greenaway Art Gallery, Adelaide
With a substantial 43% increase in applications, the panel was overwhelmed with the high standard and impressive content of the works and look forward to announcing the recipient of the annual $30,000 acquisitive prize
Monash Gallery of Art
14 October to 26 November, 2017
Melbourne
