A $50,000 local art prize will be launched by the Benalla Art Gallery in 2014.
Benalla Nude is a prize for the best work of the naked human figure in oil, acrylic, watercolour or mixed media.
The award will be presented to the best-judged work by any artist who is an Australian citizen or who has been an Australian resident in the 12 months preceding the closing date for entries.
“Benalla Nude will be one of the longest-running, really big art events in Australia, and a significant art event for the region,” says Benalla-based artist Ivan Durrant, who expects the event will be held either annually or biannually.
Mr Durrant said the inaugural event will take advantage of Benalla’s renowned and iconic art gallery, a striking modernist building overlooking the shores of Lake Benalla.
The shortlisted works will be exhibited over the Easter 2014 period, and will be selected by an independent art panel.
Entries will be accepted for the 2014 Benalla Nude from 9am Monday 13 January 2014 until 5pm Friday 21 February 2014.
Image: Artist Ivan Durrant with Arthur Boyd’s Figure by a creek with a book, 1973. (Private collection)
