Viscopy is pleased to announce fifteen finalists in the John Fries Memorial Prize for emerging visual artists 2011. The artists are: Cyrus Tang, Erica Molesworth, Eva Hampel, Heath Franco, Jennifer O'Brien, Karl Khoe & Tessa Zettel, Keiko Matsui, Kristel Britcher, Kurt Sorensen, Nathan Taylor, Pauletta Kerinauia, Sanne Mestrom, Susie Nelson, Wade Marynowsky and Walter Brecely.
The fifteen finalists were selected to exhibit their works in a finalists exhibition by a judging panel including media artist and Museum Of Contemporary Art Curator, Anna Davis, John Fries Memorial Prize 2010 winner, Hannah Bertram, Indigenous artist and 2009 National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award winner, Danie Mellor and artist and Viscopy board member, Kath Fries. The finalists’ artworks were selected on their merit within their chosen medium and comparatively among all submissions.
Viscopy Chief Executive, Alida Stanley says: “We are very impressed with the high standard of the entries for this year’s Prize, which is now in its second year. The judges faced a difficult decision but we are confident that the finalists’ works will make for an exciting and dynamic exhibition.”
The John Fries Memorial Prize 2011 finalists’ exhibition showcases the diversity of mediums being used by current emerging artists. The exhibition includes site-specific interactive works and responsive installations involving robotics, touch, movement and sound as well as paintings, glass, porcelain, photography, sculpture and video. However, regardless of medium, the works represent contemporary artistic preoccupations including the nexus between object and process, self and culture, interactivity and audience, technology and viscera, nostalgia and time.
The John Fries Memorial Prize 2011 winner will be announced and awarded $10,000 at the opening of the finalists’ exhibition on the evening August 9th at Viscopy’s contemporary exhibition space, Blackfriars on Broadway. The finalists' exhibition will run from August 10th to September 30th.
The John Fries Memorial Prize for emerging artists is open to Australian and New Zealand artists of all ages and disciplines whose works are not included in a regional, state, territory or national public art collection. The John Fries Memorial Prize is an annual prize donated by the Fries family in memory of John Fries former Viscopy director and honorary treasurer who made a remarkable contribution to the success of Viscopy.
