Georges River Art Prize

Despite the difficulties for many working in creative practices due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, we were pleased to see a renewed and strong interest in this year’s Georges River Art Prize, having received over 350 submissions across the different categories. This saw an increase of more than 50 entries since our last Art Prize held in 2019. The entries were of a high standard and were from all around the nation including New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and the ACT.

This increase in entries demonstrates that the Georges River Art Prize is an important platform for all Australian artists to showcase their diverse artistic talents and foster their endeavours. There is a strong sense of resilience, inner strength and optimism in the works of these artists. The ability to create provides all artists with the prospect of not only looking inward but externally, commenting on past and present experiences both personal and on a more national level. This Prize has given all artists a creative outlet and opportunity – one we can say we are proud to be a part of and very timely when so many exhibition schedules, routines and lives have been turned upside down.

The judges for the Georges River Art Prize included Alison Clark, curatorial and arts management specialist, Simon Chan, Director Art Atrium, and figurative painter, Steve Lopes. Our panel of judges this year provided positive feedback in reference to the pre selection process.

“Firstly, I would like to acknowledge all the artists who entered this year’s art prize as the standard was very high. The selected works certainly vary in terms of style, subject matter and size which will make for an interesting and diverse exhibition. Congratulations to the selected artists and I am very much looking forward to seeing the exhibition at Hurstville Museum and Gallery.” - Alison Clark “It was great to see such vibrancy and reflective qualities in the works submitted for the Georges River Art Prize. It’s been such a difficult year, but there was a sense of engaging urgency and contemplation in a lot of the works we chose as finalists. Hopefully we have selected an interesting show that speaks engagingly about what’s on artists’ minds at the moment and is culturally worthwhile.” - Steve Lopes

The Georges River Art Prize is an important cultural event for the community, and it demonstrates Council’s commitment to providing opportunities for artists to share their work within the local community.

The winning artworks of both the Georges River Art Prize, Stuart Watters and the Local Art Prize, Noor Shadood will be accessioned into the Hurstville Museum & Gallery’s collection. Noor was also awarded a solo exhibition which will take place at Hurstville Museum & Gallery, later in 2022.

The Georges River Art Prize, Local Artist and Sculpture Prize are on exhibition at Hurstville Museum & Gallery, and the Georges River Youth Prize and Little Artist Prize are on show at Clive James Library and Service Centre, Kogarah.

All visitors to the Georges River Art Prize exhibition are encouraged to vote for their favourite artists. Those with the most votes will then be awarded the Georges River People’s Choice Prize and Favourite Young Artist Prize which will be announced online on Monday 10 January 2021.

The Georges River Art Prize will be on show at both Hurstville and Kogarah from Saturday 13 November 2021 to Thursday 20 January 2022.

Image on opposite page: A blissful moment in a chaotic world by Noor Shadood

Images (above): GRAP 2021 Sculpture winner Jayanto Tan with his artwork Potluck Party (Jajan Pasar Street Sweet Delicacies) (Below): GRAP 2021 winner Stuart Watter with his artwork Cruel Summer