Finalists announced for Geelong Contemporary Arts Prize

Hoppers Crossing artist Duain Kelaart's synthetic polymer painting 'Prowling'. Photo: SUPPLIED

GEELONG Gallery has shortlisted 31 artists from across Australia for its 2024 Geelong Contemporary Art Prize.

The gallery’s judging panel selected finalists for the $30,000 biennial prize from more than 560 entries.

The list comprises Peter Atkins, Stephen Benwell, Natasha Bieniek, Seth Birchall, Maggie Brink, Johnathon Bush, Eleanor Louise Butt, Fernando do Campo, Ella Dunn, David Egan, Louise Gresswell, Dana Harris, Euan Heng, Duain Kelaart, Dane Lovett, Travis MacDonald, Viv Miller, Jan Murray, John Pastoriza Pinol, Ross Lynd Piggott, Kenny Pittock, Steven Rendall, Rachael Robb, Huseyin Sami, Georgia Spain, Ebony Truscott, Kate Vassallo, Trevor Vickers, Jake Walker, Amber Wallis and Louise Weaver.

Peter Atkins ‘Fruit and vegetables’ synthetic polymer paint on board.

Warrnambool artist Rachael Robb’s ‘Found’ drawing and lit candle printout oil on claybord.

The Geelong Contemporary Arts Prize has been staged since the late 1930s and highlights outstanding works by the nation’s emerging and established artists.

Geelong Gallery director and chief executive officer Jason Smith said this year’s entries were nothing short of exceptional.

“We appreciated the opportunity to view an inspiring array of works and approaches to contemporary painting by so many artists working around Australia.

“The 31 finalists exemplify what we see as the constantly dynamic and vital field of contemporary Australian painting.

“The finalists’ works are of exceptional aesthetic refinement and conceptual diversity and are distinctly thought-provoking in their reflections and representations of 21st century culture and experience.”