Tasmania's only women's art prize will celebrate 20 years with its finalists' exhibition opening at the Devonport Regional Art Gallery tonight.
Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff said the Gallery is proud to open and present the Women's Art Prize Tasmania 2022 Finalists Exhibition In partnership with RANT Arts, which features the works of 25 shortlisted finalists.
Cr Rockliff officially opened the exhibition and congratulated the major award winner Eddie James, who received the Trawalla Foundation Acquisitive Prize ($15,000) for her instant photography digital print Room 18, 2021.
"For 20 years Tasmania's only women's art prize has been shining the spotlight on the creativity, passion and vision of this island's women artists," Cr Rockliff said.
"Congratulations to all the 2022 prize winners, your work is stunning, and we encourage our community and beyond to come take a peek at our Main Gallery."
Artist Jo Chew claimed the 2022 Zonta International (District 23, Area 5) Emerging Artist prize, joining alumni such as Micheila Petersfield (2019), Tash Parker (2020) and Georgia Morgan (2021).
The Belly Bay Aluminium People's Choice Award ($1,500) will be revealed at end of the exhibition's tour, which finishes in Moonah at the end of October.
James said winning the 2022 award had a large impact on both her creative practice as an artist and her career.
" Winning has given me a boost in confidence, encouraging me to push my practice harder and to trust the direction that my work is taking," James said.
"Recognition, being seen and accepted, is a real reward of a prize such as this. Self-belief, energising my practice, is an important outcome for me."
RANT Arts Co-Director Kitty Taylor said the Women's Art Prize aims to identify, promote, encourage, and celebrate exceptional local and emerging Tasmanian women artists.
"The creativity of Tasmania's women artists holds a transformative power that enriches our lives and communities," Taylor said.
"Their work reveals important perspectives and challenges the status quo, stimulating conversations and a different way of seeing.
"We are privileged to be able to celebrate 20 years of showcasing their work to audiences across this state and beyond."
The Women's Art Prize Tasmania 2022 Finalists Exhibition will be showcased at the Devonport Regional Gallery from tomorrow, 6 August until 18 September 2022.
Photo: Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff will tonight open the 2022 Women's Art Prize exhibition at the Devonport Regional Gallery's Main Gallery.
