Jordan Barnes joins the NZ Art Show’s Selection Panel

Award Winning Artist Jordan Barnes joins the NZ Art Show’s Selection Panel

The NZ Art Show has appointed two new members to its selection panel, award-winning mixed-media Taranaki artist Jordan Barnes and prominent Wellingtonian Jane Hart. They join existing members Mal Brow and Jo Hughes who is the panel’s new convenor. Jo replaces Wellington artist Lynne Sandri who has stepped down from the panel after 10 years as its convenor.

Jordan Barnes, a long-time exhibitor in the NZ Art Show, joins the panel as a guest selector. Painting since he was in high school Jordan’s career as a professional artist was boosted in 2010 when, at 24 years of age, he won the inaugural NZ Art Show $15,000 Artist Grant ahead of 500 applicants.

NZ Art Show Executive Director, Carla Russell says, “Jordan brings to the team extensive experience as a practising artist. He’s focussed, consistent and committed to his craft: his successes to date set the bar for other young emerging talent.

The panel selects the artworks exhibited at the annual three-day NZ Art Show, the finalists for the $5,000 people’s choice Signature Art Award, and the finalists and four art students who each receive $2,500 Emerging Artist Awards.

NZ Art Show executive director Carla Russell says, “Each year the selection panel faces the challenge of choosing which artists’ work will be shown and those eligible for the Show’s arts awards. It’s a demanding role because of the sheer number of artworks submitted of which nearly 3,000 are chosen across a range of media.

“They have ensured that over the past decade the NZ Art Show has grown in size, quality and reputation to become New Zealand’s largest curated art sale and an established event on the arts calendar.”

Jo Hughes is practice manager of Wellington law firm Hughes Robertson, has been a trustee of the NZ Affordable Art Trust, the Show’s governing body, since its inception eleven years ago and has served on the selection panel for the last eight years.

Mal Brow, Wellington-based owner of 30 Upstairs art gallery, art consultant and avid art collector has also had a long association with the Show and has been a panel member for the past four years.

Jane Hart has a background in fashion and interior design and is an account manager for Signature Promotions. Janes has been a ‘Friend of the NZ Art Show’ for many years and has recently become involved in helping market the show.

This year’s NZ Art Show will be held July 25 – 27 in the TSB Bank Arena, Queens Wharf on the Wellington waterfront, with the Show’s opening Gala Evening being held on Thursday, 24 July.

Carla Russell says, “We are fortunate to have a gifted and dedicated panel focused on ensuring that the NZ Art Show grows in stature. In doing so they ensure we are better able to achieve our goals of making original New Zealand art more accessible, assisting emerging artists become established, and helping create a dynamic arts community. We also want to acknowledge the substantial contribution Lynne Sandri made over 10 years as a member and convenor of our selection panel.”

ENDS

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