The winner of the Top Gong for the Gong will go into Wollongong Art Gallery’s collection, and become part of the story of “one of the nation’s leading regional art galleries”. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
A new name, new parameters and now, a new judge — the Wollongong Art Gallery is shaking things up in this year’s iteration of its biennial acquisitive art prize.
Organisers have announced the new director and CEO of the National Art School Dr Kristen Sharp as this year’s Wollongong Art Prize judge, joining the long list of prominent judges including James Jackson, Tony Tuckson, Daniel Thomas and James Gleeson.
Already more than 500 entries are in from all over Australia, and with the deadline extended by two weeks to the end of September, organisers expect to have their shortlisting work cut out for them.
Entrants are competing for an impressive prize purse that includes the “Top Gong for the Gong” — an acquisitive prize of $25,000 — as well as People’s Choice Award ($2000) and the Wollongong Art Gallery Friends’ Local Artist Award ($5000).
While it’s Daniel Mudie Cunningham’s first time overseeing the prize in his capacity as Wollongong Art Gallery director, he has played a big role in shaping the direction and evolution of the prize into its current iteration.
It’s been quite a journey and, not a lot of people know, one that forms the roots of the very gallery itself.
“The Wollongong Art Prize started in 1956 and has had a variety of names over the years,” Daniel said. “In the early years it was essentially a painting prize that built the foundations of the city of Wollongong’s art collection, which ultimately led to the establishment of Wollongong Art Gallery in 1978.”
In the 90s, a bequest from local watercolourist James Kiwi became the impetus to change it to a watercolour prize. Most recently, it was called the FLOW Contemporary Watercolour Prize.
Under Daniel’s leadership this year, reverting to the Wollongong Art Prize is a reflection of its “new old vision”.
“Watercolour artists are still very much a valued part of our artistic ecosystem and we hope to see them entering the prize, but this new iteration will include painting, sculpture, textile, video, photography, drawings and ceramics,” Daniel said. “We feel this makes the prize more inclusive, community-minded and accessible.”
Still a biennial acquisitive prize, the winner of the Top Gong for the Gong will go into the gallery’s collection, joining the ranks of other acquisitive works from esteemed artists including Cole Jordan, James Hall and Lorraine Holmes.
Following the announcement of winners by Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown, the finalists and selected pieces will be part of the Wollongong Art Prize exhibition.
Occupying four spaces at the gallery, it’s set to be a big exhibition — and a democratic one.
“Prize exhibitions are not your typical curated, considered exhibition hangs — they’re usually characterised by diversity and eccentric pairings of works,” Daniel said. “This is no exception and we will lean into it. So expect a vibrant, idiosyncratic display with lots to look at.”
Daniel said the artist behind the acquired piece could be confident their work would live on through and for the community, in “one of the nation’s leading regional art galleries”.
“Being part of our collection means you are part of our story. It could be curated in collection exhibitions or even loaned to other galleries and more,” he said.
Entries for the Wollongong Art Prize close on 28 September, and the winners will be announced on Friday 5 December. The Wollongong Art Prize Exhibition will run at Wollongong Art Gallery from Saturday 6 December to Sunday 1 March. For more details and how to apply, visit Wollongong Art Gallery.
