The Flanagan Art Prize made a triumphant return on Friday, 21 March, with winners announced at a spectacular gala opening at St Patrick’s College.
More than 150 guests attended the event, celebrating the exceptional artistic talent on display in the highly anticipated exhibition in the Old Collegians’ Association Pavilion.
Tasmanian artist Paul Snell was awarded the $10,000 Flanagan Art Prize for his ethereal chromogenic print, Bleed #202337. This marks Snell’s second time winning the prestigious prize, having first taken home the award in 2012.
“This work is an example of how an art historical tradition and language can remain relevant and continue to speak about the world in which we live and how we experience it,” guest judge Dr Vincent Alessi, of Linden New Art, said.
“It is ethereal, acknowledges that within emptiness there is life and activity and that in our text saturated world there is still place for the spiritual, slowing down and experience a moment of silence that is moving. It also pushes limitations of photo media practice.”
Snell was unfortunately unable to attend the opening but extended his heartfelt thanks to all those involved in the prize and exhibition.
“I would like to sincerely thank St Patrick’s College and the judging panel for this generous recognition and for their continued support of contemporary Australian art. Through Bleed #202337, I continue my exploration of abstraction and minimalism within photo media, investigating the transformation of photographic modes of production and the manipulation of data to invent new visual forms,” he said.
“This work reflects my ongoing interest in the space between making and taking photographs and the fluid boundaries between painting, photography, object and screen. It invites a shift from daily visual saturation to a more selective, sensitised engagement of image and form.”
St Patrick’s College Old Collegian Wayne Elliott (SPC 1971-74) received the runner-up Panel Prize for his acrylic painting, Yepereyne/Emily Gap, a joyous work inspired the landscapes of central Australia.
“This work captures the beauty of the Australian landscape, the vastness of its clear blue skies, the diverse flora we encounter, the old geological layers that make up this land mass that we live on. It’s welcoming and joyous, and beautifully painted,” Dr Alessi said.
Elliott congratulated the College on the return of the Flanagan Art Prize.
“It creates an opportunity especially for young people, and it’s great to see the emerging artists and the young people awards here today, and it’s something that I think is very important going forward,” he said.
In the youth categories, Melbourne student Yusayrah Shareef won the Young Flanagan Prize for mixed media work, Surreal Mess, while St Patrick’s College Year 11 student Trevor TJ Wortley was awarded the Clontarf Academy Prize for Bundi.
Principal Steven O’Connor expressed his delight at the success of the event and the calibre of this year’s entries.
“We are incredibly proud to see the Flanagan Art Prize return with such an outstanding collection of works. The quality and diversity of the artworks are a testament to the immense talent of Australian artists, and we are thrilled to provide a platform to showcase and celebrate their creativity,” he said.
The Flanagan Art Prize exhibition is open to the public across the weekend, from 10am-4pm on both Saturday, 22 March and Sunday, 23 March. Entry is free and works are available for purchase.
