First Prize – $3000 CASH PRIZE (NON-ACQUISITIVE)

I just called
James Hale

James Hale’s work I just called has been selected for the $3000 award from over 500 entries.

First Prize Judge and Curator, Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) Lara Merrington said:

‘The winning work uses cutting wit and the absurdity of everyday conversation to address current socio-political matters, pop and contemporary culture.

James Hales’ oil on card piece stood out for its lo-fi composition and material use yet complexity of subject matter. In a similar vein of text based artists before him (think David Shrigley, Hamish Fulton, Tracey Emin, Barbara Kreuger to Guerilla Girls) Hale transforms the basic communication tool of words over visual form to emphasise ideas of political and social justice issues. The piece I just called may have originally just been a personal conversation, but is also widely relatable. Hale’s work gives authority and voice to words through art, promoting timely conversation, in a time that we need it more than ever.

One might think of the young Swedish climate activist Greta Thunburg’s famous speech “How dare you! You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words”, mashed up with Stevie Wonders ‘I Just Called To Say I Love You’, for example. Or, we might think of the more recent responses from Australian residents to Scott Morrison’s inaction in the current bushfire crisis.

This is not Hales first time entering Brunswick Street Gallery’s prize exhibitions. Hale’s bold wit and crude humour, which stem from an examination of, and connection with, the language and understanding of LGBTQIA+ intimacy and culture, has developed over time and on the occasion of this fourth entry, we are delighted to announce him as the prize winner.

Creating a dynamic conversation with the other judges, Sean Smith and Jacqui Burnes from Brunswick Street Gallery, we considered that Hale’s work has been consistent in style over time, but has grown in strength to incorporate colour specifically. We believe the prize money could see his practice explored further to new exciting places.’

The judges were unanimous in their choices.

BRUNSWICK STREET GALLERY PRIZE – SOLO EXHIBITION 2020/21

PRIDE
DAVID RAMSDEN

David Ramsden’s work has been selected for a Solo Exhibition Prize at Brunswick Street Gallery in 2020/21.

Brunswick Street Gallery’s judges, Sean Smith and Jacqui Burnes, said:

‘David Ramsden’s Pride immediately stood out to the judges amongst the hundreds of works in this exhibition for its use of intense colour, unusual composition and masterful technique.

Paying close attention to the figure, each strand of hair, pore of skin and fleck of light is considered by the artist. Particularly resonant is the use photorealism married with abstracted qualities and framing, creating a universe where the two exist in harmony, but also brilliant intensity. The employment of colour to imbue light upon the subject, perhaps alludes to a private moment held on the dance-floor, colour melting down the face a reference to the unmasking of true identity, and finally acceptance and eventual brilliance of the subject. The technical skill to create such fine detail in this piece is no easy feat, and shows a masterful understanding of his medium.

brunswick street gallery GROUND FLOOR GALLERY prize – exhibition in Ground FLoor Gallery

Would you rather it’s real?
ingmar apinis

Ingmar Apinis’ work has been selected for a solo installation at Brunswick Street Gallery in 2020/21 in the Ground Floor Gallery space.

Brunswick Street Gallery judges Sean Smith and Jacqui Burnes said:

‘The surprising and unorthodox combination of multiple ideas and techniques within this single artwork makes it intensely interesting. Apines captures and makes permanent digital ephemera into solid state. The marriage of juxtaposing ideas, surfaces, and techniques so masterfully not only creates movement within this piece, but imbues it with hidden potential. For us it alludes to ancient tablets recording secret meaning, such as the Rosetta Stone, that bridges two worlds of knowledge. Utilising plaster, screen-printing, and painting, this work masterfully combines mediums not normally combined, and for a reason. The level of artistic experimentation needed to create a work is immense and shows great dedication by the artist in honing their craft.’

HONOURABLE MENTION – ERNEST STUDIO PRIZE

family portrait #2
chelsea rosenbrock

The winner of the Honourable Mention – Ernest Studio Prize, as selected by the team at Ernest Studio receives a $300 voucher for framing services.

Read more about their creative practice in our Artist Profile here.

HONOURABLE MENTION – PRINT 2 METAL PRIZE

xwing cmmdr kate
steve hamilton

The winner of the Honourable Mention – Print 2 Metal Prize, as selected by the team at Print 2 Metal, will receive a $399 voucher for printing services.

Read more about their creative practice in our Artist Profile here.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD – DERIVAN PRIZE

Landscape
jacob tcherna

The winner of the People’s Choice Award – Derivan Prize as selected by public vote by visitors to the Fifty Squared Art Prize, will receive a Painting Pack from Derivan.