Eight of Australia's most illustrious artists have been announced as entrants to the Gold Award 2022, Queensland's richest art prize.
Communities and Heritage Councillor Drew Wickerson said for ten years the Gold Award has been growing in importance as a nationally significant event.
"First established in 2012, the Gold Award was made possible through a bequest from the estate of Rockhampton philanthropist Moya Gold," Councillor Wickerson said.
"The Gold Award is a celebration, bringing together a broad range of artists, whose varied approaches to the painted medium conveys the breadth and diversity of painting in Australia today."
Artists invited to participate in the Gold Award 2022 include:
- Robert Andrew
- Gordon Hookey
- Euan Macleod
- Noŋgirrŋa Marawili
- Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran
- Wendy Sharpe
- Ian Smith
- Guan Wei
Councillor Wickerson said the entries in the Gold Award 2022 will form one of three exciting exhibitions scheduled to coincide with the official public opening of the newly constructed Rockhampton Museum of Art.
"The paintings will be on public display from 25 February 2022 to 15 May 2022," Councillor Wickerson said
"Along with the acquisition of the winning artwork/s through the $50,000 prize money, additional artworks are set to be acquired via the Rockhampton Museum of Art Philanthropy Board's Gold Patron program."
In 2019, the Rockhampton Museum of Art Philanthropy Board launched the Gold Patron Program with the aim of raising funds to enable additional works from the upcoming 2022 Gold Award to be added to the museum's permanent collection.
Collectively, the Gold Patrons, all members of the Central Queensland community, have generously donated $150,000 for art purchases from the selection of artworks entered into the Gold Award 2022.
Councillor Wickerson said over the last ten years the Gold Award has become one of Australia's major art prizes.
"It is fitting that people can now see the artworks in our new Rockhampton Museum of Art," Councillor Wickerson said.
"The Gold Award has also kept the work by long-serving Mayor Rex Pilbeam alive, who, back in the 1970s, headed the push for Rockhampton to acquire artworks by living Australian artists for its permanent collection.
"The acquisition of the winning works along with the works acquired by the generosity of our Gold Patrons will continue to enhance the collection."
The 2022 Gold Award will be judged by Mr Chris Saines CNZM, Director of the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, with the winner set to be announced on 26 February 2022.
The Gold Award is a joint initiative of the Rockhampton Museum of Art Philanthropy Board, Rockhampton Museum of Art and Rockhampton Regional Council.
Rockhampton Museum of Art is funded by the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund; the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and the Building our Regions program; and Rockhampton Regional Council.
The Gold Award 2022 artist details and approved photos can be accessed via: https://rockhamptonregion.sharefile.com/d-s7b7145ed9bdf4aee87766a6216e8e5a0
