“We do not do it because we are attached to the figurative. Nor do we do it because it is traditional though we do respect the innate value of tradition…Why is it necessary for us to go to the natural form in such an intense way? Because it is the accumulation of that knowledge of natural form as a primary source of our creative work. The alternative to that is to imitate the things that others have done, or to follow fashion” – Tom Bass, sculptor
The inaugural $12,000 Tom Bass Prize 2016 attracted almost 250 entries from across Australia, with thirty-eight artists selected for exhibition vying for the main Prize. The winner will be announced at the opening night on Thursday 3 March, along with three other $1,000 Prizes for highly commended, youth and people’s choice.
The 2016 Finalists Exhibition is a showcase of representational, abstract, innovative and contemporary works inspired by the ‘figurative’ form.
The Prize coincides with the 100th anniversary of the birth of Australia’s pre-eminent public sculptor, Tom Bass AM (1916-2010). The Tom Bass Prize was initiated with the idea of engaging the community, youth and the artistic world in a figurative art prize – all three concepts which were fundamental to Tom Bass’ life’s’ work.
Judges for the Tom Bass Prize are prominent artists Jim Croke, Claire Healy and architect/artist Richard Goodwin.
The Tom Bass Prize 2016 finalists are Aldo Bilotta (VIC), Mark Booth (NSW), Maudie Brady (VIC), Claire Brown (NSW), Sach Catts (NSW), Carol Crawford (NSW), Christine Crimmins (NSW), Anne Delaney (NSW), Christopher Edwards (TAS), Daniel Fischer (NSW), Roy Flior (NSW), Kym Frame (QLD), Jenny Green (NSW), Gillian Hodes (NSW), Freya Jobbins (NSW), Cat Kerr (TAS), Miroslav Kratky (NSW), Amaya Lang (NSW), Kerry Leonard (VIC), Jaclyn Lindsay (NSW), Damien Lucas (NSW), Kasia Lynch (VIC), John Lynch (NSW), Simon Maberley (NSW), Victoria Monk (NSW), Bridget Nicholson (VIC), Samantha O’Farrell (VIC), Stephen Ormandy (NSW), Eden Plaisted (NSW), Louis Pratt (NSW), Jake Preval (VIC), Ron Royes (NSW), Rainer Schlueter (NSW), Jodi Stewart (VIC), Richard Stringer (VIC), Alma Studholme (NSW), Mike Taylor (QLD) and Sal Yates (NSW).
Finalists’ Exhibition
Juniper Hall
4 March to 20 March, 2016
Sydney
Tom Bass posing with sculpture