Artists are invited to submit an entry to the 2016 Mandorla Art Award to be considered for the $25,000 acquisitive award and exhibition.
The Mandorla Art Award for contemporary religious art is Australia’s most significant thematic Christian art prize and now ranks amongst major Australian art awards, in both artistic excellence and prize value.
With the 18th Award to take place in Perth in July 2016, the Mandorla Art Award is open to all Australian artists over 18 working in any media.
The Mandorla Art Award employs a thematic Christian inspiration that changes with each exhibition. These inspirations are defined by quotations from the Bible and all participating artists are requested to interpret these in their own way.
In 2016, artists will be provided with the challenge to visualise the theme The Resurrection and provide an interpretation in their preferred media.
Mandorla’s rich theme, steeped in metaphor and symbol, provides an inspiring feast of the imagination for visual artists working in a diversity of genres. There are a myriad of possibilities to approaching the interpretation of the theme The Resurrection, drawn from several passages of the Bible; various commentaries and reflections are available on the Mandorla website.
This year, the Mandorla Art Award celebrates its 30th anniversary and each year the number and quality of entries submitted has grown. The 2014 Mandorla Art Award exhibited an impressive array of media by Australian artists, with the first prize awarded to sculptor Paul Kaptein, and the exhibition included paintings, sculptures and a sophisticated selection of digital and photo-media artworks by the 59 finalists.
The award aims to attract artworks that are diverse and challenging, and provide an insightful interpretation of the chosen theme.
Entries are open to artworks in any media that fits the guidelines for exhibiting, and will be appraised by an independent selection panel consisting of arts and theology specialists. The selection panel will be seeking examples of artistic excellence in a diverse range of media and contemporary practice to ensure the exhibition of finalists’ works presents a cross-section of Australia’s leading artists.
Previous winners include Paul Kaptein (2014), John Paul (2012 and 1990), Annette Allman (2010), Concetta Petrillo (2007) Michael Kane Taylor (2004), Julie Dowling (2000), Brian McKay (2002 and 1986), John Coburn (1996) and Nigel Hewitt (1991 and 1992), Ivan Bray (1989), Allan Baker (1988), Michael Iwanoff (1987) and Theo Koning (1985).
The Mandorla Art Award offers artists the opportunity to:
• extend your creative practice by interpreting a biblical theme
• increase your profile as a selected finalist in Australia’s most significant thematic Christian art prize
• exhibit your artwork for sale
• join the ranks of past Mandorla winners such as Paul Kaptein, John Paul, Nigel Hewitt, Brian McKay, Julie Dowling, Michael Kane Taylor and John Coburn
• share Mandorla’s vision to promote high-quality Christian art to a contemporary audience.
As a selected finalist of the Mandorla Art Award, artists will:
• be considered for the $25,000 acquisitive first prize to become part of the Mandorla permanent collection at the New Norcia Benedictine Community.
• have their artwork displayed at Linton & Kay Gallery, Perth in July 2016
• be invited to attend the Mandorla Art Award Opening and Prize Presentations
• be eligible for two $5,000 highly commended, non-acquisitive awards
• be eligible for the People’s Choice Award, voted for by visitors to the exhibition and valued at $2,000 (non-acquisitive).
Mandorla Art Award Prizes:
• $25,000 acquisitive Mandorla Art Award
sponsored by St John of God Health Care
• $5,000 non-acquisitive Highly Commended Prize
sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Perth
• $5,000 non-acquisitive Highly Commended Prize
sponsored by the Anglican Diocese of Perth
• $2,000 non-acquisitive People’s Choice Award
sponsored by the Benedictine Community of New Norcia
2016 Award Theme:
• The Resurrection
Important Dates:
• Entries close: 2 May 2016
• Announcement of finalists: 1 June 2016
• Announcement of winners: 15 July 2016
• Exhibition: 15–24 July 2016
2016 Exhibition Venue:
• Linton & Kay Galleries, St Georges Terrace Perth
The 2016 Entry Form and Terms and Conditions are now available on the website www.mandorlaart.com. The deadline for submissions is Monday, 2 May 2016.
For more information, artists can email curator@mandorlaart.com, join the mailing list for regular updates at www.mandorlaart.com or www.facebook.com/MandorlaArtAward.