The 2018 Bluethumb Art Prize received an overwhelming number of entries in comparison to last year when the initiative first came to fruition. From 100 semi-finalists, 30 were selected for the closing round of what is the nation’s largest new art prize. As an online gallery, Bluethumb removes some of the physical and financial restrictions artists face when entering into an art competition, allowing them to exhibit and sell their work to a greater audience.
Twelve judges, including Indigenous art curator, Glenn Isager-Pilkington and CEO of the Contemporary Arts Precinct, Marcus Westbury, were responsible for the final selection process which accounts for 60% of women and 13% of remote Indigenous artists.
Ben Howe, Wayfarer, oil paint, 92 x 77 x 2.5cm. Courtesy the artist and Bluethumb
More generous than in its inaugural year, the prize total is worth $20,000, which is distributed among four different categories; Works on Canvas Award, Works on Paper Award, Photography Award, and Other Media Award with the finalist from this group receiving $10,000. There is an additional $2000 People’s Choice Award to be judged by the public until Sunday 15 April.
The finalists are Loribelle Spirovski, Kim Hyunji, Erin Nicholls, Lise Temple, Ben Howe, Alice Blanche, Rex Turnbull, Stephen Dupont, Samuel Miller, Stacey Rees, Eva Beltran, Caroline Zilinski, Kim Leutwyler, Tim Allen, Renata Waterfall, Steve Salo, Roddy Kerr, Illawanti Ungkutjuru Ken, Amanda Krantz, Ingrid Russell, Sally Browne, Jasmine Radovic, Lix North, Stacey Korfiatis, Laurie Marburduk, Hubert Pareroultja, Freda Lane, Vanessa Mae and Paul McKnight.
Varied in material expression and content, highlights include Ben Howe’s Wayfarer, which deals with the intersection between physicality and the subconscious world; Renata Waterfall’s Shine Opposite exploring the visual representation of the human spirit; and Lix North’s Mr George Fish and His Marvellous Monocular, an intriguing portrait capturing the historical entrepreneur Mr George Fish. Participating judge Jimmy Twin explains, ‘This seemingly whimsical combination of history and steampunk imagery is both incredibly captivating in its lighthearted nature, and in its rich detail, able to give Mr Fish great personality even though he has himself, a stoic expression.’
Held on Thursday 12 April, opening night at Bluethumb HQ (81 Sackville Street, Collingwood) offers the opportunity to view the finalists’ works and meet with the artists, judges and the Bluethumb crew.
The success of this year’s prize further distinguishes Bluethumb as an excellent online platform for art prizes. By removing physical barriers and costs, more artists are entering prizes than ever. Bluethumb have already partnered with the South Australian Living Artists festival (SALA), the Helpmann Academy and the ANL Mission to Seafarers Maritime Art Prize, helping to bring each art prize to life by hosting online and reaching as many people as possible.
Bluethumb
12 to 15 April, 2018
Melbourne
