The inaugural Guirguis New Art Prize (or GNAP) has been awarded to Ash Keating for his work West Park Proposition.
The Guirguis New Art Prize is a new prestigious national acquisitive art prize administered by the University of Ballarat, and supported by local surgeon Mr Mark Guirguis. Eleven contemporary artists shortlisted for the $20,000 award, which was judged by Jason Smith, director of Heide Museum of Modern Art. The finalists are Rebecca Baumann (WA), Fergus Binns (VIC), Petrina Hicks (NSW), Ash Keating (VIC), Bonnie Lane (VIC), Richard Lewer (WA), Angelica Mesiti (NSW), David Rosetzky (VIC), Darren Sylvester (VIC), Brendan Van Hek (NSW) and Paul Yore (VIC).
Ash Keating’s winning work, which has also been acquired by the NGV and Monash Gallery of Art, is a three-channel video installation that documents his creation of a two-story high wall painting made by throwing buckets of paint and firing paint-filled fire extinguishers.
Of the winning work, Jason Smith says: “Ash Keating’s work West Park Proposition kept drawing me back in the several hours I spent viewing the works. It simultaneously affirms the political and critical role of the artist as a key agent of change and action, and someone who reminds us of the beauty and resilience of humanity and nature in the face of unrelenting change. As a work combining performance, collaboration and hope, Keating’s West Park Proposition is a work of immense and compelling poetry.”
The finalists’ work makes up an exciting exhibition held at the University of Ballarat’s Post Office Gallery and the Art Gallery of Ballarat until 19 May. It features video, sculpture, installation, painting and tapestry – a collection of work that engages the viewer through movement, light, sound and colour. Recurring themes include concepts of identity, individualism and society, eternity, nostalgia and cultural traditions.
Paul Hemming, Chancellor of the University, said: “I am particularly proud of its Arts Academy, based in the Camp Street precinct and closely linked to the Art Gallery of Ballarat, and on behalf of UB I would like to recognise the support of the Art Gallery and the City of Ballarat for the Prize,” Dr Hemming said. “We are also very pleased not only administer the prize, but to acquire significant contemporary works of art for the University’s Permanent Collection.”
Shelley Hinton, Curator of the Post Office Gallery, University of Ballarat said: “West Park Proposition is a significant work and acquisition for the University of Ballarat’s Permanent Collection and we’re delighted Ash Keating’s work is the inaugural winner of this exciting Prize. “Overall to receive such high quality submissions by important artists for the inaugural Prize and from artists presenting a broad range of significant issues and ideas has been fantastic for the Prize and Ballarat. The Ballarat arts community will benefit enormously by the development of the Prize,” Shelley said. “We have Mark Guirguis to thank for his vision and commitment in highlighting the importance of the arts and the Arts Academy at the University of Ballarat. Contemporary art has the power to entrance and inspire us and relates to contemporary life. With the Prize, we now have the opportunity to create a very special annual event and exhibition for the city.”
Guirguis New Art Prize 2013
Post Office Gallery
13 April to 19 May, 2013
Images:
Ash Keating, West Park Proposition, 2012, video still of three channel synchronised HD digital video 16:9, PAL colour, stereo sound, duration: 2 minutes 14 seconds.
Courtesy the artist and Fehily Contemporary, Melbourne.
Ash Keating, West Park Proposition #1, 2012, C-type photograph, 120 x 80cm, edition of 5 +1ap, photo Greta Costello.
Courtesy the artist and Fehily Contemporary.