Blackstone Gallery Debuts BLUE Works On Paper Prize Exhibition
A brand new Works On Paper Prize founded by Hunter Street’s Blackstone Gallery is launching for public viewing on the 21st of November.
The Prize’s star-studded panel of judges will include Newcastle legends/artists Lucas Grogan and Sally Bourke, as well as Senior Curator Kim Blunt of Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
The winners will be announced at the onsite judging at 7pm on the 20th of November, and the exhibition will be open to the public from the following day.
The Prize took a total of 233 entries from Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland including some prominent award-winning artists including Sydneysider Libby Moore, Brisbanite Rachael Wellisch and Blue Mountains artist Hilary Sims.
Uploaded on social media for the Gallery's 2.6k Instagram followers, the public voted on their favourite, and the Audience Choice Winner will be made a finalist to be unveiled at the highly-anticipated opening.
The winning artist will take home $1000 cash and receive complete sponsorship in their own solo exhibition at Blackstone Gallery.
The Audience Choice Winner will win $500 along with the opportunity to be an instant finalist. All works exhibited will be up for sale, and some lucky punters will walk away with a piece of Newcastle history.
Advertised in March 2020, the Prize called out to Australian and New Zealand artists to enter works on paper using the theme ‘BLUE’ and the artists have used this to represent what the word means to them.
“The theme resonated with many artists, especially the Melbourne based artists with 64 of 233 entries coming from Victoria”, says gallery owner Marguerite Tierney of the aptly chosen theme.
“Many connected their works to themes of isolation.”
From colour and concept to the emotion the COVID-19 pandemic has brought with its lockdowns and social isolation, this year’s prize will give you goosebumps as we reflect on the year that could have been.
“We received many entries from professional artists due to the prominence and high calibre of the judging panel,” says co-owner Tim Moran.
“This provided us with a wide range of submissions filled with diversity in styles, concepts and mediums.”
Bookings are essential to ensure the safety of visitors as well complying with the latest NSW Public Health Orders.
About Blackstone Gallery: Husband and wife gallery owners Marguerite Tierney and Tim Moran founded the BLUE Works On Paper Prize which is in its first year. Blackstone Gallery is an independent art gallery and hosts art workshops run by a cast of prolific artists throughout the year.
Location: Blackstone Gallery, 470 Hunter Street, Newcastle
Public Exhibition Dates: 21 - 30 November 2020
Opening Times: Wednesday to Saturday 10.30am-3pm
Bookings essential through https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2020-works-on-paper-prize-finalist-exhibitionblue-tickets-127591536721
