A work by Gisborne artist Gene Walker is among the 51 finalists in the National Contemporary Art Award. Award rules mean a picture of the work cannot be shown until the winner of the $27,000 prize has been announced in August.
Comprised of carved plywood, raw canvas, paint, exposed staplesand studio detritus, the work is underpinned by process and construction of the painting as an object, says Walker.
The finalists’ works were selected through a blind judging process in which Fiona Pardington reviewed images, artists’ statements, and video without knowing the identity of the artist.
Winners will be decided in situ at Waikato Museum and announced at an awards ceremony on August 2.
The $250 Campbell Smith Memorial People’s Choice Award winner will be decided by public votes during the exhibition season.
