It is worth it in the end

WINNING the GNAP19 is a tough nut to crack.

Sixteen finalists for the 2019 Guirguis New Art Prize, one of Australia’s prestigious contemporary art prizes, were recently announced.

The $20,000 biennial acquisitive prize is sponsored by Ballarat surgeon Mark Guirguis, administered by Federation University Australia and presented in partnership with the Art Gallery of Ballarat.

The genesis of the prize was to raise the profile and encourage the Art School of what was then Ballarat University.

“One of the goals was to make the art school sexier because Ballarat had a reputation [at the time] for being a traditional art centre,” Mr Guirguis said.

Mr Guirguis explained he plays no part in the selection process, his only involvement is when he is shaking hands and presenting the prize to the winner.

“Our selection process is an interesting way of seeing what is happening in Australian art,” he said.

First, artists have to be recommended by curators from a range of Australian institutions.

Sally Hinton, Federation University’s administrator of the prize and curator of its Post Office Gallery chooses the galleries.

“I select only from public galleries and ask the curators working in contemporary art to recommend their best for the prize,” Ms Hinton said.

She then invites those suggested artists to submit a proposal for the prize.

“The proposal could be for the creation of a new work, or for an existing piece completed in the past twelve months or for reworking aspects of an older piece,” Ms Hinton said.

Fifty-six proposals were received this year.

Ms Hinton organises a short list committee to select a maximum of 20 finalists.

“The committee is made up from Ballarat arts professionals as well as at least two external curators or artists,” she said.

Ms Hinton and Louise Tegart, director of the Art Gallery of Ballarat are on the current selection panel, the other members are confidential.

The ultimate winner is chosen by an external judge.

Melissa Keys, curator of the Buxton Contemporary Gallery in Melbourne is the GNAP19 judge.

Ms Keys said it is an exciting privilege to be invited to judge the 2019 Guirguis New Art Prize.

“The Guirguis Prize is a significant and prestigious prize that provides a meaningful acknowledgement of artistic excellence,” she said.

“It’s important to think about the prize as both an exhibition and an award. While not every finalist can win, the exhibition provides a platform for audiences to see and appreciate new compelling work by a selection of exceptional artists from across the nation who each make important contributions to artistic practice.”

The finalists featured represent an impressive sample of contemporary art practice across the nation both in terms of ideas, media and making.

“Given the exciting participating artists the selection process will not be easy, however it is certain that the winner will be outstanding and deserving of the support that this unique and significant art prize provides,” Ms Keys said.

The winner of GNAP19 will be announced at the formal exhibition opening at the Art Gallery of Ballarat on Friday, 5 April at 6pm.

The exhibition is presented jointly at the Art Gallery of Ballarat and Fed Uni’s Post Office Gallery from Saturday, 30 March to Sunday, 2 June open 10am to 5pm daily. The winning art work will be added to the Fed Uni Art Collection at the Mt Helen Campus.