Presented by Collie Art Gallery, located 230k south of Perth, the inaugural $50,000 Collie Art Prize is set to become the richest individual acquisitive art prize to be offered in regional Australia. The biennial prize has been made possible thanks to the generous commitment of Collie & Districts Community Bank Branch of the Bendigo Bank. The Rotary Club of Collie is also enthusiastically supporting the Gallery with two additional $5000 prizes, and a $1000 People’s Choice Prize provided by popular Collie bed and breakfast establishment Whispering Pines.
Image courtesy Collie Art Gallery, Perth
When the Gallery opened its doors for the first time just two years ago it was also the first time a purpose built A class art gallery had been opened in WA since the Art Gallery of WA in the 1970s. It was an auspicious event representing the culmination of 40 years of passionate lobbying, planning and fundraising by local art lovers who wanted to create a home for the town’s significant art collection.
Collie Art Gallery Chairperson, Trudi Curran, who is also head of Visual Arts at the nearby Collie Senior High school, explains how the organising committee came upon the theme of for the prize;
“The competition’s theme of ‘Identity’ will invite artists to submit significant works which will explore the age-old issues of identity and belonging that define who we are and how we relate to the world around us.
“The theme is open to the exploration of our various identities and groups we belong to as they change over time and in different contexts.
“Factors that can be explored include upbringing, past experiences, gender, race or nationality, culture, age or maturity, education, work experience, socio-economic groups, religion, beliefs and values, the groups we belong to and the people we admire.”
Image courtesy Collie Art Gallery, Perth
The Collie Art Prize welcomes entries in a variety of mediums with a creative interpretation of the subject. It’s aim is to have an exhibition that encourages discussion and introspection.
The winning works will be announced at an event on Friday 2 March 2018 at Collie Art Gallery.
Information on submissions and entry requirements can be found here, www.collieartgallery.org.au
