Geelong artists shortlisted for

TWO artists from Geelong have been shortlisted in the inaugural National Capital Art Prize.

Geelong’s Janne Kearney and Samuel Massey were both shortlisted along with 121 other finalists from more than 1,000 submissions.

“It was great to have some positive news in these difficult times,” Janne said.

“Being selected amongst such an outstanding field of artists for the National Capital Art Prize is a fantastic achievement and one I’m very proud of.”

Janne says her artwork was all about women controlling their own sexuality and teases the viewer’s perception of sweetness and innocence through the subject’s visual double entendre.

“Each of us has the right to exist without torment, exploring current pushes within gender politics, against a climate of sexual harassment and the right for each us not to accept subpar treatment, to be truly liberated and be ourselves,” Janne said.

The shortlisted artworks will now head to Canberra for exhibition and a final round of judging.

Director and founder of the National Capital Art Prize, Robert Stephens, said some of Australia’s best-known artists have submitted works, including previous Archibald Prize winners as well as other outstanding emerging artists.

“Australian artists have struggled for visibility over the last 12 months and these awards provide a platform for exposure and commercial opportunity,” he said.

Artworks were submitted in four categories; open, First Nations, landscape and student.

Finalists have the chance to win a share of the $45,000 prize pool.

Both Janne’s All Day Sucker artwork and Samuel’s The Hokey Pokey can be viewed in the ‘Open’ category of the online gallery at nationalcapitalartprize.com.au/2021finalists/.

The Geelong community can support Janne and Samuel by voting for their works in the People’s Choice Award prize.