Finalists announced for popular prize

THE finalists have been announced for the 2021 Arthur Guy Memorial Painting Prize.

Thirty-four works have been shortlisted out of 350 entries from across the country.

This year’s judges are curatorial manager at Queensland Art Gallery Geraldine Kirrihi Barlow, head of arts programs at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum Tanja Johnston and director of Bendigo Art Gallery Jessica Bridgfoot.

Ms Bridgfoot said the awards celebrate and showcase contemporary painting in Australia.

“As an open prize, we always see an incredibly diverse and exciting breadth of themes, subjects and painting styles being explored by artists, and this year is no exception,” she said.

The awards began in 2003 and were set up by Allen Guy in honour of his brother Arthur, who died during military service in New Guinea in 1945.

Arthury Guy was educated at Camp Hill Primary School and Ballarat Grammar School.

The winner of the prize receives $50,000 and will be announced on 19 November, with a finalists’ exhibition. On display at the Bendigo Art Gallery from 20 November to 13 February.

“We are so thankful to the Guy family for continuing to support this highly-regarded prize and exhibition, which offers artists the opportunity to showcase their work alongside their peers, and be exposed to new audiences, curators and collectors,” Ms Bridgfoot said.

“As this is an acquisitive prize, the winning work also joins the gallery’s permanent collection, ensuring future opportunities for the work to be enjoyed by our audiences beyond the prize.

“It is also an important opportunity to support Australian artists at all stages of their careers.”

Among the finalists are Adam Lee from Macedon and Jenny Rodgerson from Chewton.