Initiated by the S.H. Ervin Gallery 21 years ago, the Salon des Refusés is the alternative exhibition to the Archibald and Wynne Prizes at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW). Highly prestigious in its own right, the exhibition is curated by a panel of industry critics who select work in the AGNSW packing room from those not chosen as finalists in the official exhibition around criteria of quality, diversity, humor and experimentation. This year’s selectors included Christopher Hodges, Director, Utopia Art Sydney, Paula Latos-Valier, former General Manager, Biennale of Sydney & Jane Watters, S.H. Ervin Gallery Director.
The Salon des Refusés follows the tradition made famous by Napoleon lll in Paris. He insisted that the huge number of works which had been rejected by the Academy for that year’s Salon be displayed for the public to view and judge.
Visitors to the annual Salon des Refusés exhibition can vote for their favourite artwork in the Holding Redlich People’s Choice Award, with the winner announced on 17 May 2012.
It is always a wonderful and diverse exhibition of contemporary Australian painting and this year’s selection is true to form. Visit the gallery’s website for a full list of exhibiting artists in this year’s exhibition.
Salon des Refusés – S.H. Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill, The Rocks, Sydney.
Until 20 May, 2012.
