Congratulations to Emily Parsons-Lord, overall winner of ‘the churchie’ emerging art prize 2020 for her video work Standing Still (with practice, one may learn to accept the feelings of groundlessness)’(2020); as a result, the artist will receive a non-acquisitive $15,000 cash prize.
Emily Parsons-Lord, Standing Still (with practice, one may learn to accept the feelings of groundlessness), 2020, HD video, 00:04:00. Photograph: Maiara Skarheim
Judge Tarun Nagesh (Curator, Asian Art, QAGOMA) commented, ‘Parsons-Lord’s gripping performances and interventions revel in the ability to invoke a feeling of wondrous possibility while gesturing toward an impending sense of loss. Through ethereal encounters, underpinned by rigorous intellectual and environmental enquiry, she appeals to our most instinctive bodily reactions and fundamental human concerns.’
Nagesh continued, ‘the 2020 emerging art prize reflects the immense diversity of talent and the great vitality of emerging practices in Australia today, where some of our most exciting artistic talents present us with pertinent questions and insights about contemporary culture and the state of the world. In a textured exhibition, peppered with examples of courageous material and intellectual enquiry and provocation, ‘the churchie’ finalists have provided poignant reflections on the past and speculative propositions toward the future.’
A Special Commendation Prize was awarded to Nabilah Nordin and two further Commendation Prizes to Marina Pumani Brown and Georgia Morgan.
The 2020 finalists’ exhibition, curated by Talia Smith, showcases the work of Nathan Beard, Tom Blake, Jessica Bradford, Martin George, Yasbelle Kerkow, Guy Louden, Lachlan McKee, Georgia Morgan, Nabilah Nordin, James Nguyen, Emily Parsons-Lord, Marina Pumani Brown, and Athena Thebus at the Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane until 19 December 2020.
