Three Whanganui artists shortlisted for Parkin Drawing Prize

Fraser Findlay's work The Wiz has made the Parkin Drawing Prize shortlist. Photo / Bevan Conley

Three Whanganui artists are contenders for the sought-after Parkin Drawing Prize this year.

Kate Sellar, Fraser Findlay and Michelle Sigley have made the shortlist of 80 artists in line for the major prize of $25,000.

Sigley, well-known as a mural artist in Whanganui, has used ink on a crumpled paper bag for her work Solace and said the drawing "speaks for itself".

"It is something I had in my head for a while and recently I found the right time to get it out."

Sellar's large work Trace Elements is constructed from egg cartons and coated with graphite.

"I started the work during the Covid lockdown last year and completed it after I held my master's exhibition at the Edith Gallery in February," Sellar said.

Sellar is now lecturing at UCOL Whanganui after completing the master of design programme with AUT earlier this year.

Whanganui artist Kate Sellar's work Trace Elements is a finalist for the 2021 Parkin Drawing Prize. Photo / Supplied

Findlay's The Wiz is part of series he has been working on for his doctorate study at Massey University's College of Creative Arts.

Exploring the practice of packaging, transfer and delivery of artworks, Findlay has made artworks of the packaging.

"I always start with a pencil sketch which is where the drawing comes in," he said.

Findlay, who is also a teacher as well as a stage director and actor, said the Wizard of Oz film brought a sense of childhood nostalgia and so he had created a multisensory experience for viewers.

"There is performance art involved as well," he said.

"Scanning the QR codes on the packaging will take the viewer to a static image or a video."

Findlay said it was something he had been doing for a while but gallery visitors had been much more aware of the codes since Covid-19 had been around.

Whanganui artist Michelle Sigley's work Solace is a finalist for the 2021 Parkin Drawing Prize. Photo / Supplied

The Parkin Drawing Prize was founded by philanthropist and arts patron Chris Parkin nine years ago, initially offering a major prize of $20,000 as well as 10 highly commended prizes worth $500 each.

Last year, Parkin boosted the major prize to $25,000, saying it had been a difficult year for many people, especially artists impacted by Covid-19.

This year, there were 563 entries for the competition - the highest number since 2014.

"It's quite remarkable to see such a strong number of entries especially given the year we've all had," Parkin said.

"It proves creativity is alive and well in Aotearoa but also it comes down to the fact the competition has become such a prestigious event and built up a fantastic reputation over the years, no one wants to miss out."

The works will be showcased at the Parkin Drawing Prize exhibition at the NZ Academy of Fine Arts in Wellington throughout August and the winning submission will be selected and announced by Dr Sarah Farrar, head curator of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, on Monday, August 2.