Nine Finalists Selected For Emerging Artist Awards

10 July 2013

Nine Finalists Selected For Emerging Artist Awards

Nine outstanding art students have won selection as finalists in this year’s Emerging Artist Awards. The finalists all gain entry into the NZ Art Show and the opportunity to win four $2,500 cash prizes.

The NZ Art Show’s Selection Panel who had the task of choosing the finalists were very impressed by the artworks presented. Forty students were nominated by their tutors from 12 of New Zealand’s leading tertiary art schools.

The finalists are: Rosanna Smith and Kendal Mustard from Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University; Patrick Hickey, Massey University College of Creative Arts, Wellington; Dan Roberts and Holly Zandbergen from Otago Polytechnic’s School of Art and Design, Dunedin; Triona Cooney from UCOL, The Quay School of the Arts, Whanganui; Natalie Smith from Whitireia New Zealand, Porirua City; and Helen Clegg and Veronika Djoulai from the Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design, Auckland.

The Convenor of the Selection Panel, Wellington artist Lynne Sandri said, “The work submitted was fresh, different and experimental. While each of the finalists showed confidence in their technique and creativity, some artists have pushed the boundaries of their disciplines. The finalist’s submitted works will be exhibited in a dedicated gallery at the Show and we look forward to seeing how well the Show’s visitors appreciate the more challenging work of these emerging artists.”

The NZAAT Emerging Artist Awards recognise the work of exceptional emerging artists and New Zealand’s art schools and were made possible through the generosity of a New Zealand Art Show patron and NZAAT trustee, Wellingtonian Richard Nelson.

The Emerging Artist Award finalists were selected at a preliminary judging round undertaken by the NZ Art Show’s selection panel. The selection panel will decide upon the four Award winners prior to this year’s Show which opens on Friday, 26 July.

NZ Art Show executive director Carla Russell says, “The Emerging Artist Awards provide a further means to help young artists establish their careers and gain recognition for their work. The quality of the art submitted for consideration this year was outstanding and will add an additional dimension to this year’s Show. We look forward to being able to announce the four deserving winners in the near future.”

ENDS

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