Basil Sellers Art Prize

16 August, 2011

The Ian Potter Museum of Art announces finalists for the $100,000 Basil Sellers Art Prize 2012

Fourteen finalists have been selected for the prestigious third Basil Sellers Art Prize, to be presented at the Ian Potter Museum of Art in August 2012.

The shortlisted artists are: Brook Andrew, Richard Bell, Lauren Brincat, Jon Campbell, Pat Macan, Louise Hearman, Greg Creek, Eugene Carchesio, Simon Perry, Kerrie Poliness, Patrick Pound, Christian Thompson, Sangeeta Sandrasegar, Gabriella Mangano and Silvana Mangano.

Over 300 artists submitted entries for the $100,000 Basil Sellers Art Prize, one of Australia’s richest and most coveted art awards.

Acting Director of the Ian Potter Museum of Art, Christopher Menz, said “This exciting selection of artists as the 2012 finalists consolidates the third presentation of this biennial award. All present distinctive approaches to the sporting theme.”

The finalists’ perspectives on the interrelationships between sport and art will cover a range of issues including: Australian history and sporting vernacular; politics and Indigenous athletes; sporting apparatus of social significance; iconic sporting objects as symbols and the athlete as metaphor for the artist. The artists draw inspiration from AFL football, rugby, boxing, tennis, cricket, swimming, skating and athletics.

The finalists have 8 months to complete their work before the judging panel decides who will be awarded the Basil Sellers Art Prize 2012.

Judges include Erica Green, the Director of the Anne and Gordon Samstag Museum of Art; Lisa Havilah, The CEO of CarraigeWorks Sydney; Nick Farr Jones and Dr Chris McAuliffe, Director of the Ian Potter Museum of Art.

The prize of $100,000 will be awarded to the winner, and a further $5,000 will be presented to one of the exhibiting finalists on the basis of public vote.

The finalists will exhibit at The Ian Potter Museum of Art, University of Melbourne on August 3, 2012 until November 18, 2012. The winner will be announced at the exhibition gala opening.

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