Shortlist announced for painting prize

A SHORTLIST of thirty-six painters has been announced for this year’s biennial acquisitive Arthur Guy Memorial Prize.

Chewton based artist Rhett D’Costa, who is among the shortlisted artists, said he was proud to be showing his work at the Bendigo Art Gallery alongside his peers.

“It’s pretty exciting, if I think about how many people applied and how many were shortlisted,” D’Costa said.

“I feel incredibly privileged and honoured to be a part of that group, knowing how many good painters there are around Australia.”

D’Costa’s work explores themes of identity and belonging, informed by his own experience with dual ethnicity.

“This particular work I made borrows from Indian miniature painting and living in regional Australia and looking out into the landscape from my studio,” he said.

D’Costa was shortlisted from a pool of 900 entries assessed by judges Jason Smith, director and CEO of Geelong Art Gallery, and Penelope Wise, a representative for the Arthur Guy family.

Curatorial manager of Bendigo Art Gallery Lauren Ellis said the prize attracts a range of artists from all over Australia.

“It’s a testament to the vibrant creative scene right here in Central Victoria that we always receive interesting and high-quality entries from artists in our own region, many of whom have been selected as finalists, including 2019 winner Jahnne Pasco-White,” Ms Ellis said.

The prize is acquisitive and in addition to winning $50,000, the winner will add their painting to the permanent collection at Bendigo Art Gallery.

“The Gallery and our community benefit from the acquisition of the winning work, past winners are brought out regularly for display and use in our education programs with local students,” she said.

In addition to commemorating the life of WW1 veteran Arthur Guy, the prize was initiated to celebrate diversity in contemporary Australian painting.

“That’s really at the heart of what makes art prizes exciting and the finalists’ exhibitions so popular and interesting for our local Bendigo visitors,” she said. “The incredible range of styles, techniques, and subject matter in contemporary Australian painting.

The winner will be announced on 24 November, and an exhibition of all shortlisted works will be open at Bendigo Art Gallery from 25 November to 18 February.