Nigel Borrell is the judge of this year's National Contemporary Art Award.
Nigel Borrell is the judge of this year's National Contemporary Art Award.
The 2025 running of the National Contemporary Art Award has received a record number of entries for the third time in a row.
Of the more than 480 entries, 53 artworks were selected as finalists.
The National Contemporary Art Award (NCAA) is run by Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museumand Gallery and recognises the cutting-edge artists of Aotearoa New Zealand.
It first received a record-breaking number of entries in 2022 (more than 300 entries) and again in 2023 (420 entries).
Director museum and arts Liz Cotton said the entries had “poured” in from artists from all over the country, “exceeding all expectations”.
“This reflects the vibrancy of the nation’s art scene and the essential role art plays in our society, as well as the importance of our philanthropic partners who enable us to offer such generous prizes.”
The prize pool comprises more than $30,000, with recipients selected through a blind-judging process.
The winner receives $20,000, the runner-up receives $7500 and there will also be Merit Awards of $1000 each.
The judge for the 2025 NCAA competition was Nigel Borell (Pirirakau, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Te Whakatōhea), curator Taonga Māori at Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira.
The 2023 winner was Tauranga-based artist Tawhai Rickard (Ngāti Uepohatu, Ngāti
Porou). He is pictured with his work titled Scenes from a Victorian Restaurant. Photo / Ruth Gilmour
