Esteemed artist to judge NAB Flanagan Art Prize

Esteemed expert to judge NAB Flanagan Art Exhibition

Award winning Australian artist Euan Heng has been announced as the judge of the 2015 NAB Flanagan Art Exhibition, being conducted by St Patrick’s College in August.

The exhibition, now in its eighth year, is building a reputation as one of the premier art events on the Ballarat calendar and draws entries from professional artists across Australia all aiming to claim some of the $7000 available in prize money.

In 2015, 81 professional artists from across Australia have been selected to exhibit at the St Patrick’s College Old Collegians Association Pavilion in late August.

The exhibition will be launched and winners announced at a gala function on Friday, August 21.

Mr Heng, an internationally-acclaimed painter with decades of experience, will travel to Ballarat on this day to judge the exhibition and announce the winners.

Born in Scotland, Mr Heng gained undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee, Scotland and RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.

Since 1973, he has held 33 solo exhibitions in Australia, Scotland and Italy and has participated in over 70 group exhibitions in Australia and internationally.

His work is represented in public and university museum collections in all states of Australia and Scotland including the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Queensland Art Gallery and the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow.

Illustrated essays, articles and reviews on his work have been published in all major Australian newspapers and fine art journals.

Mr Heng has also taught art in the UK and Australia and most recently held the position of Adjunct Associate Professor in Graduate Research, Fine Art at Monash University, Melbourne.-

He has participated in visiting artist/lectureships and residences in Australia and overseas including the Australia Council Residency at the British School at Rome in 1999 and a Royal Scottish Academy Residency in 2010.

St Patrick’s College Headmaster Mr John Crowley said the organisers of the 2015 NAB Flanagan Art Exhibition were delighted to have someone so highly acclaimed agree to judge the exhibition.

-The Flanagan Art Exhibition is one of the most important events the College organises on an annual basis,- Mr Crowley said.

-Each year St Patrick’s College, through this exhibition, aims to provide a high quality and prestigious art award in Ballarat that reflects our commitment to excellence in the arts.

-It exposes our students to some of the best artwork from artists around the country and enables the College to help contribute to Ballarat’s ever-growing reputation as an art-friendly city.-

Mr Crowley said the College was delighted to welcome the National Australia Bank as the main sponsor for the 2015 event.

-To have the National Australia Bank support this event will, we hope, continue to ensure it grows as a major attraction on Ballarat’s annual calendar for years to come,- he said.

-We are very thankful for the involvement of the National Australia Bank, as we are for the continued involved of our other key supports from Federation University and from Lifestyle Travel Ballarat, who have been involved with the Flanagan since its inception.-

In 2015 year the winner of the Flanagan Art Prize receives a $5000 cheque, courtesy of the National Australia Bank. The winner of the Federation University Emerging Artist Prize receives $1500 while the artist who produces the Best Affordable Artwork (Under $500) will receive a $500 prize courtesy of Lifestyle Travel Ballarat.

Tickets to attend the gala opening night, which includes some of the region’s finest foods and wines, are available for sale at this link– or by calling Rachel Bryant on 5322 4386 or emailing rbryant@stpats.vic.edu.au

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