Established in 1987 by the Anglican Church Grammar School, ‘the churchie national emerging art prize’ is known for its dedication to innovation and excellence across contemporary, traditional and new media genres and the high calibre of emerging artists it attracts.
With 450 entries submitted and a total of $25,000 in prize money on offer, ‘the churchie’ has named its 2019 winners; selected by guest judge and Director of Perth Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA) Amy Barrett-Lennard, and announced at the official exhibition opening on Friday 13 September at the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) in Brisbane.
Nadia Hernandez, Remezcla #3 (Remix #3), paper cut, 71 x 90cm. Courtesy the artist and Blackartprojects, Melbourne
Congratulations Nadia Hernández! The overall winner and recipient of the non-acquisitive $15,000 cash prize donated by long-standing sponsor of ‘the churchie’, BSPN Architecture.
Working in paper construction, textiles, painting, installation and sculpture, Hernández’s practice negotiates complex political narratives through personal and institutional frameworks, and where these concepts intersect. Her paper-cut works, Remezcla #2 (Remix #2) (2019) and Remezcla #3 (Remix #3) (2019), depict several colourful scenes that reference past resistance movements, portray current political tensions as well as a technology-based connection as a way to speak of her own diasporic experience.
The winner of the Special Commendation Award was artist Ben Soedradjit, who was awarded the $5,000 prize for his series of acrylic paintings on board; Campur (or the ultimate paradox of cultural authenticity), Nosedive (Sydney to Denpasar) and Perkawinan (Kind of hard to believe) (2019). Two artists each received Commendation Prizes of $1,000 each; Sarah Poulgrain for her work A Set of New Skills (2019), and Shireen Taweel for her hand-pierced copper installation Razing Legacy (2019).
The $3,000 People’s Choice Award will be drawn at the end of the exhibition period, to be voted on by gallery visitors who will go into the draw to win one night’s accommodation at The Calile Hotel in Brisbane and bed linen by Jardan.
The work of all nineteen finalists will be on display at IMA until 21 December 2019.
