Australia’s only contemporary botanic art prize, the York Botanic Art Prize, has announced the shortlist of 47 artists that were selected from 175 expressions of interest nationally.
The finalists will be exhibited in the historic Wheatbelt town of York, in the Barladong region of Western Australia, at Gallery 152, from Sunday 26 November 2023 to Wednesday 31 January 2024.
Established in 2020, the York Botanic Art Prize is a much anticipated biennial event in the Australian art prize calendar with a prize pool of $12,000.
The prize was created to showcase artistic engagement with Western Australia’s native flora, and to draw attention to the issues and challenges that face its protection and conservation.
Artists must respond specifically to the theme of native Western Australian flora, referencing specific WA species; and work in any medium, expanding the field of what botanic art can be.
Curator Leonie Oakes said that artists whose work challenges traditional notions and conventions of botanical art are encouraged to enter the prize.
Leonie said there was a diverse range of media submitted for consideration included glass, wood, jewellery, ceramics, painting, print, photography, assemblage, illustration, drawing, instillation, metal, paper and tattoo.
Director Jenny Garroun said that of the 175 entries, approximately one third were from interstate applicants, showing the esteem in which the prize is held amongst artists Australia-wide.
“Through the prize we hope to connect art with science, to drive change, conserve our natural environment and preserve biodiversity for the long term future of our planet, and in that process support new and important creative works,” said Ms Garroun.
Artists shortlisted for the 2023 York Botanic Art Prize are:
Kelsey Ashe, Katie Barron, Lorraine Biggs, Bethany Breslin, Jennifer Cochrane, Jane Coffey, Benjamin Cole, Sujora Conrad, Mya Cook, James Crombie, Paul Dennis, Samantha Dennison, Pippin Drysdale, Nina Ellis, Angela Ferolla, Mia Forrest, Margery Goodall, Yoshiko Gunning, Charlotte Haywood, Kirsten Hudson, Kyle Hughes-Odgers, Virginia Keft, Ali Kidd, Marina Lommerse, Michael McHugh, Matthew McVeigh, Sam Michelle, Sharon Muir, Barbara ODonovan, Cynthia Orr, Amanda Andlee Poland, Ross Potter, Jennifer Robertson, Zoe Sernack, Sultana Shamshie, Linelle Stepto, Rebecca Stewart-Bartell, Kimberly Stuart, Shin-I (Juliet) Tang, Kati Thamo, Sarah Thornton-Smith, Tineke Van der Eecken, Robin Wells, Jo White, Laura Williams, Jude Willis and Clarice Yuen.
The prize will be judged by Dr Laetitia Wilson, Ron Bradfield Jnr and Professor Fiona Stanley AC, with the winner announced at the formal opening on Sunday, 26 November 2023 by Patron Professor Josh Byrne – the winner will receive $11,000.
The People’s Choice Award, supported by York Branch of The Wildflower Society of Western Australia will be announced on Saturday 27 January 2024 – the winner will receive $1,000.
Finalists in the York Botanic Art Prize will be exhibited at Gallery 152, York from Sunday 26 November 2023 to Wednesday 31 January 2024. For more information, visit: www.gallery152.com.au for details.
Image: 2020 York Art Prize Finalists – photo by Louise Coghill