2014 Tidal Award recipient Joel Crosswell with his work Galaxias 2014
NATIONAL ART AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT
The Tidal: City of Devonport National Art Award 2016 Finalists Exhibition is the Devonport Regional Gallery’s premier exhibition, opening Friday 25 November, 6.30 pm.
The national acquisitive award with a major prize of $15,000 attracts artists at various stages in their careers from across Australia. The 22 finalists were selected by two nationally recognised art experts, Jane Devery Curator of Contemporary Art at the National Gallery of Victoria, and Jane Stewart, Principal Curator of Art at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
Final judging for the winning work and artist will take place Thursday 24 November. The selected winner will be announced at the public exhibition opening, by the Honourable Jeremy Rockliff MP, on Friday 25 November, 6.30 pm.
The works in the 2016 Finalists Exhibition each demonstrate excellence in conception, innovation and execution; reflecting upon the myriad perspectives and challenges inherent within the interconnections of land and sea.
“We are always amazed at the standard and diversity of responses to the interpretation of tidal” said Gallery Director Ellie Ray. “Our natural surrounds – our waters and coastal regions – are often taken for granted. This year’s tidal finalists have in varied ways, researched and developed art works that highlight the value of our natural resources for both survival and enjoyment. The judges will certainly have a hard time selecting the Tidal Award recipient!”
The Tidal: City of Devonport National Art Award 2016 Finalists Exhibition is on from 26 November to 29 January. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite work in the Peoples’ Choice Award. The winning artist will receive $1,000, courtesy of Collins Real Estate, and will be announced at the close of the exhibition in January.
2016 FINALISTS
Diane Allison, Louisa Bufardeci, Janet Bush, Alex Davern, Julie Fragar, Joey Gracia, Helga Groves, Katherine Hattam, Liam James, Anthony Johnson, Amber Koroluk-Stephenson, Michael Muruste, Penny Mason, Sara Manser, Tess Campbell, Troy Ruffels, David Stephenson & Martin Walch, Evelyn Vyhnal, Megan Walch, Matt Warren, Carole Wilson, Anne Zahalka
HISTORY
Tidal was first launched in 2004, and since 2010 has been a $15,000 acquisitive award. As a result, three Tidal Award recipients work to date have become a part of the Devonport City Council’s Permanent Collection.
The recipient of the first acquisitive Tidal Award in 2010 was Hobart based photographer and cinematographer Matthew Newton, for his digital print Moonbird boy 3. In 2012, Launceston based artist Paul Snell was the recipient of the second acquisitive Tidal Award for his work Elliptic # 201201. The third and most recent acquisitive Tidal Award in 2014 was presented to yet another Tasmanian artist, Hobart based Joel Crosswell, for his work Galaxias.
CORRESPONDING EVENTS
Coinciding with the Finalists Exhibition, the Devonport Regional Gallery is presenting an extended program of events and workshops across December and January, including the Tidal Artisan Street Market, Young Writers in the City residency program and Tidal Festival.
Tidal Artisan Street Market
Friday 9 December 2016, 3 – 7 pm
Rooke Lane & Stewart Street (in front of the Gallery), Devonport
The inaugural Tidal Artisan Street Market transforms Rooke Lane and the Gallery into a vibrant market place for artists, makers and designers to sell their wares! Featuring over 30 local artisans.
Young Writers in the City residency program
Five talented writers will be exploring the picturesque North West Coast of Tasmania as part of the Young Writers in the City residency program, presented by the Tasmanian Writers Centre in partnership with the Devonport Regional Gallery. The residency will culminate in a reading of their original work before audiences at Devonport’s Tidal Festival.
Tidal Festival
23 – 29 January 2017
Devonport, Tasmania
The six-day arts and culture festival, from 23 to 29 January (excluding Australia Day), features a range of activities, workshops and events for the whole family to enjoy.
Ellie Ray, Dianne Sheehan
